There will be no fines for violating drivers and operators on the first day of implementation of the "no vaccine, no ride" policy, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday.
DOTr Undersecretary Reinier Yebra told DZRH that this is based on the instruction of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
"Base na rin po sa utos ni Sec. Tugade, we have to be tolerant and patient, but firm," he said.
(Based also on the instructions of Sec. Tugade, we have to be tolerant and patient, but firm.)
"Kaya po ngayong araw ang utos po ni Sec. Art, kapag may nahuli pong violators, eh wawarnigan po muna. Bukas na po yung magi-issue ng tickets for violation," he added.
(This is why on the first day the instruction of Sec. Art is if there are violators caught, they will only be given warnings. Tomorrow is the start of ticket issuance for violation.)
According to Yebra, the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board have ordered fines for drivers and violators who will allow unvaccinated individuals to board their vehicles.
The first offense will amount to P5,000; second offense means P10,000; while the third offense can get violators fined by up to P15,000, according to Yebra.
"'Yung mga succeeding po, may kaukulang penalties po 'yan na maaring suspension or revocation ng prangkisa o di naman kaya suspension or cancellation ng kanilang drivers license," said the undersecretary.
(For succeeding ones, there are corresponding penalties that could include suspension or revocation of franchise, or suspension or cancellation of their driver's license.)
The policy was initially met by criticism from transport groups, as the policy will give them the additional burden of checking whether their passengers are vaccinated.
Yebra, in response, apologized for the inconvenience but stressed its importance in protecting the population.
"Kami po ay humihingi ng pasensya para sa inconveniences na maidudulot ng polisiyang ito, pero at the same time, kami rin po ay humihingi ng tulong, kumbaga ng kanilang kooperasyon, kasi napakaimportante po na protektahan natin yung mga unvaccinated kasi sila po yung mas prone sa severe COVID infection," he said.
(We apologize for the inconveniences caused by this policy, but at the same time, we are also asking for help, for cooperation, because it is important to protect the unvaccinated because they are prone to severe COVID infection.)
He added that the policy was also to protect drivers and their families, to ensure that they will not be infected by the virus.
The "no vaccine, no ride" policy starts taking effect on Monday, with several transport groups, organizations, and companies expressing their support for the initiative.
