Opposition senators ask DOTr to stop 'no vaccine, no ride' policy

Opposition senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros are calling for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stop or reconsider its "no vaccine, no ride" policy.

Senator Pangilinan described the policy as "draconian" and suggested assigning a separate set of public utility vehicles (PUVs) for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals instead of barring them from public transport.

He argued that the policy unfairly punishes poor Filipinos who rely on public transportation to get to work and may have only received their first vaccine dose.

Pangilinan emphasized that these individuals often earn very little and cannot work from home, making the policy an additional burden.

He believes the policy disproportionately targets the poor who are striving to earn a living.

Some local government officials, such as Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oca Moreno, have also opposed the policy, with Senator Pangilinan stating that LGU officials must be given discretion in addressing vaccination issues in their respective areas.