House top prize in vaccination drive raffle
Still nervous about getting the Covid-19 vaccine? What if it comes with a chance to win a house and lot?
For las Pinas City residents, such instant fortune is being offered as an antidote to vaccine hesitancy.
On Friday, Deputy Speaker and las Pinas Rep Camille Villar announced she would raffle off a 1.5 million pesos (RM129,550) house and lot by the end of the year, on top of monthly draws for motorcycles and grocery packages.
the raffle is open to las Pinas residents who have completed or received at least the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Every month starting in June, Villar said, 10 city residents who have already received Covid-19 shots may each take home a grocery package worth 5,000 pesos (RM430).
At the grand draw in December, a house and lot courtesy of Bria Homes is up for grabs, with two motorcycles as consolation prizes.
Bria Homes is a subsidiary of Golden Bria Holdings inc chaired by her father, former Sen Manny Villar.
Villar said no government funds would be used for the raffle as the prizes would all come from her personal sources.
“this programme aims to reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated for people, their families, and the community.
“it will not only protect people but help our economy slowly recover,” she said in a statement.
“through this effort, we also have a chance to increase awareness and confidence in vaccines.”
the las Pinas offer is one of the latest, if not the biggest, initiative by a local government offering incentives to residents still hesitant to be inoculated despite heightened information campaigns.
Other cities or towns have offered sacks of rice, vegetables, even cows.
Senators on Friday welcomed suggestions to “sweeten the pot” for the still undecided population.
“if it helps, why not?” Sen Francis Pangilinan said.
But he said he preferred “modest incentives,” such as grocery baskets, instead of expensive rewards.
“the focus should still be on raising awareness, health education, and aggressive information dissemination regarding the safety of the vaccines,” he added.
Senate President Pro tempore Ralph Recto agreed that rewards could go a long way in addressing vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos, which could undermine the drive to herd immunity.
“We should use all legal – and creative – means possible to have every Filipino vaccinated,” Sen Panfilo lacson said.
“this is not only for our people’s well-being, but also to boost our economy – and ultimately get our pre-pandemic normal lives back again,” lacson added.