The government is stepping up its war on the unvaccinated – restricting their access to public utilities and identifying who they are specifically – as coronavirus cases reach record-highs due to the transmission of the omicron variant.
On Tuesday, the Transportation Department issued an order barring the unvaccinated from public transport in Metro Manila to minimize the risk of those vaccinated being infected by Covid-19. This, as the majority of new cases come from the region, which has the highest inoculation rate in the country.
The “no vaccination, no ride” order covers all modes of public transport – land, rail, sea and air. Unvaccinated passengers who need to buy essential goods must present proof. Those with medical conditions, meanwhile, should show a medical certificate; an antigen test is not compulsory.
DOTr insisted that it’s not curtailing human rights in any way.
“We are not limiting the right to travel of commuters. We are limiting the use of public transport. They can still travel using their own vehicles, but not public transport,” Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) opposed the measure on Wednesday, restricting “the exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights” of the unvaccinated.
“The reality is that ordinary Filipinos continue to rely on public transportation in attaining basic needs, such as for food, work, and accessing health services,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said. “With the DOTr‘s ‘no vaccine, no ride’ policy, even those exempted under this policy may be restricted in accessing essential goods and services for having no or limited access to private vehicles.”
The plight of the unvaccinated may soon be furthered by the Interior Department’s order to all barangays to identify and submit their names.
Usec. Jonathan Malaya said that this would be used to effectively implement local ordinances restricting the movement of the unvaccinated.
“Para masiguro natin ‘yung datos natin ng mga unvaccinated, nagpalabas si Secretary Año ng memorandum circular para magsagawa ng imbentaryo ang lahat ng mga barangays sa buong bansa para malaman ‘yung mga hindi pa nagpapabakuna sa barangay,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
“The ordinances will serve as guidelines of barangays and of the police sa implementation ng direktiba ng Pangulo to restrict the mobility of the unvaccinated,” he added.
Related: New COVID-19 Guidelines By DOH
President Duterte has lashed out, in harsh terms, against the unvaxxed, ordering barangay officials to restrain them from going outside. In last Thursday’s pre-taped address, he warned the hardheaded to be arrested if they won’t ‘stay put.’
“And if he refuses, he goes out of the house, and goes around in the community or wherever magpunta (he goes), he can be restrained. And if he refuses, then the barangay captain, being a person of authority, is empowered now to arrest the recalcitrant persons,” he said.
Those who question his directive should go to the courts and file a case, preferably at the International Criminal Court, he said.
“I’ll be happy to answer. Meron naman akong kaso sa ICC, eh ‘di ipatong na ninyo, para isang sagutan na lang pagdating ng panahon,” he sarcastically said, referring to the chamber’s inquiry of his bloody drug war.
The president acknowledged that he carries the burden of ensuring the country’s welfare; thus, the restrictions against the unvaxxed.
“I hate to say this word, these words. Pero (But) being the President, ultimately, I am responsible for the safety and well-being of every Filipino,” he stressed.
In interpreting the president’s message, the Interior Department said that arresting the unvaccinated is the ‘last resort,’ insisting that the orders to restrict their mobility are meant to protect them from the highly transmissible disease.
The Health Department has said that those infected by the omicron variant exhibited only mild symptoms. The unvaccinated, however, remains in danger, noting that most severe Covid-19 patients were not yet inoculated.
“Over the week, we have noted a steady increase in hospital admissions in Metro Manila. Data from DOH hospitals in NCR (National Capital Region) shows that 85 percent of those in the ICU and requiring mechanical ventilator are not vaccinated at all,” it said in an advisory.
DOH has therefore pleaded to everyone to get a jab, stressing it as a pathway for safety versus Covid-19.
“As family, friends, neighbors, employers, or co-workers, let our advice be their source of verified information and our actions be a manifestation of our love and concern. We cannot stop until all eligible Filipinos are vaccinated. After all, no one is safe, until everyone is safe,” it added.
As of January 12, more than 116 million doses were administered as the country heads for the 11th month of the vaccination drive. There are now 53,905,973 fully vaccinated individuals, a hundred-thousand short of its 54-million goal in 2021. This constitutes about 49% of the entire population.
While 4,112,207 have taken a booster jab, administered at least three months after the second dose.
This January, the government aims to inoculate 5- to 11-year-old children, with Pfizer the only brand granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the said age group. While babies and toddlers are also expected to take a jab this year. Yet, no company has applied for an EUA.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez has pledged to fully vaccinate 90 million individuals by June and provide 72 million boosters for adults this year.
The country is racing over time as the transmission of the omicron variant complicates the government’s pandemic response. Today, the DOH recorded 34,021 new cases, bringing the caseload to 3,092,409. The positivity rate hit 47.9%, with just 78,866 individuals tested. Active cases now stand at 237,387.
Featured image from Arab News/Associated Press.
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