MANILA – A Department of Transportation (DOTr) official on Wednesday said that starting January 17, only fully vaccinated individuals, with some exceptions, will be permitted to use public transportation.
“Para mabigyan ng konting allowance ang mga tao to prepare for this, ang utos ni [DOTr] Secretary [Arthur] Tugade is to make this fully effective by Monday (To give a little leeway and to allow people to prepare, Tugade ordered to make this fully effective by Monday),” DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said in a virtual presser.
The DOTr released Department Order No. 2022 – 001 which states that only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to take public transportation to, from, and within NCR.
“This DO shall cover public transportation for individuals who reside outside NCR but who work and/or travel to the same,” the issuance read.
Persons with medical conditions that prevent full Covid-19 vaccination, “as evidenced by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of the physician,” are exceptions from the mandate.
Individuals who will procure essential goods and services such as food, water, and medicine “as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof to support and justify such travel” are also exempted from the policy.
DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said in a Viber message that an antigen test result would not be required for individuals who were exempted for medical conditions.
“Hence, for those passengers claiming to be covered under the medical reason exemption, transport authorities shall only look for their Medical Certificate,” Libiran said.
In response to claims that the vaccine mandate in public transportation is “poor, draconian, or punitive”, she stated that the measure would help ensure the health and safety of the general public and public transportation workers, as well as “prevent a repeat of public transit shutdown”.
“Mas anti-poor at anti-life kung mahahawa at makakahawa ang ating mga kababayan dahil sila ay hindi bakunado (It is more anti-poor and anti-life if someone gets infected or infects others because they are not vaccinated),” Libiran said.
