Number of ‘no vax, no ride’ policy violators decreased, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said that the number of “No vaccine, no ride” policy violators has significantly decreased compared to the first day of its implementation.

Citing data from the Inter Agency Council for Traffic, the number of violators dipped to only 8 violators on Friday, Jan. 21, from the 160 violators recorded on Jan. 17.

“It’s a good sign that the public is slowly adjusting to the policy. We are observing increased cooperation from the unvaccinated individuals,” said PNP chief PGen. Dionardo Carlos.

Carlos then reminded police personnel to exercise maximum tolerance on violators.

“We commend the impressive behavior displayed by our personnel. It was grace under pressure. May we also ask the public not to blame our personnel as they are only fulfilling their mandate,” Carlos added.

Meanwhile, Carlos also said that the PNP has also been maximizing its checkpoints to inspect if public utility vehicles are following the limitations in maximum capacity.

The enforcement of the “no vaccine, no ride” policy started on Jan. 17, covering all domestic travel to, from, and within Metro Manila via public transportation by land, rail, sea, and air.

Human rights advocates and lawmakers alike have branded the regulation as “anti-poor” and “discriminatory,” with some passengers unable to get to their workplaces after being prohibited from using public transportation.

WATCH: Market vendor slams gov’t’s ‘no vaccine, no ride’ policy

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, however, later clarified that workers with proper identification are also exempt from the policy.

Apart from workers, commuters with medical conditions preventing them from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, those getting or delivering essential goods and services, and those headed to inoculation sites to get vaccinated are exempt from the order.

The policy was implemented after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered barangay leaders to prohibit unvaccinated people from going out of their houses.

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