Youth wins car in last raffle for vaccinees

A young resident of Nivel Hills in Barangay Apas won a Toyota Vios during the final draw of their city-initiated raffles to encourage vaccination against COVID-19 dubbed “Balik Eskwela Pabakuna Ta Extrabonanza” the other day.

To entice more young and old alike to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the worst of the pandemic, the city government dangled sponsored prizes including a car, a house and lot, and condominium units, among others.

A resident of Barangay Pamutan and another of Sudlon II each won a Deca Homes condo unit.

Five other city residents also won a motorcycle, while appliances were also raffled off for the seniors, persons with disabilities, schools, and the general public earlier this week.

During the event, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama thanked everyone who helped the city achieve herd immunity and, more importantly, freedom from the health crisis and recovery of the economy at the end of its vaccination program.

At one point during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city, then led by the late mayor Edgardo

Labella, was regarded as the epicenter of the disease not only due to the number of active cases but also because of the number of deaths.

Rama, who was then vice mayor, was tasked by Labella to spearhead the vaccination and be at the forefront of the battle with the latter out most of the time due to illness.

From acting mayor, Rama then assumed as mayor and Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros became vice mayor by way of succession following the death of Labella in November 2021.

“Kani karon, katapusan na...usahay makalimtan na ang kagahapon...tungod sa paningkamot sa atong gobyerno, aniana na kita, kagawasan. Dili nako gusto magbalik-balik sa nga...we are already out of the health challenge,” Rama said.

The mayor thanked everyone involved in mitigating the situation as well as carrying out the vaccination with the help of the private sector, schools, barangays, and even mall owners.

“This is the ending of that particular program that we wish ang mga tawo dili mahadlok sa vaccination,” he added.