Twenty residents in Muntinlupa City, who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, won 25 kilos of rice each in a raffle draw that aims to encourage more people to get the jab.

Barangay Sucat, headed by Chairman Raffy Sevilla, launched the innovative “Bigas sa Bakuna” raffle promo that will give half a sack of rice every week to 20 people who have been inoculated at Sucat Covered Court, one of the major vaccination hubs in Muntinlupa.

The first raffle draw was held on May 30 for people who were vaccinated from May 24 to 29.

Each vaccinee at Sucat covered court is entitled to earn a ticket for the weekly raffle draw. The winners in the first raffle are Clarita de Mesa, Mercedes Babida, Pedro Abustan, Victoria Magdalita, Jocelyn Borjal, Fauto Surel, Veneranida Gomez, Agnita Maturan, Maria Rosalie Santos, Leonila Rongavilla, Ariel Agito, Steven Claude Aquino, Ronnie Conrado, Ma. Adelaida Mendoza, Rodante Lopena, Teresita Barasona and Ernesto Brigino, all from Brgy. Sucat, and Saturnina Arnaiz, Johny Manzano and Wilhelmina Delfin from Brgy. Buli.

Sevilla told Manila Bulletin that they launched the raffle promo for people to be informed and educated on the importance of vaccination.

“Primarily, its purpose is to encourage people to talk about why vaccination is needed,” he said. “We noticed that only a few from the indigent sector have been vaccinated. We want to target them (in the vaccination program). We want to get their attention.”

He said the “Bigas sa Bakuna” raffle promo will be done until it is needed, which may last until next year.

Recently, Senator Panfilo Lacson said lottery and other methods will encourage more people to get vaccinated.

“We should use all legal – and creative – means possible to have every Filipino vaccinated. A chance at winning in the lottery and other creative incentives to attract more Filipinos to get themselves vaccinated – these are good moves by the government, both national and local, and even the private sector, to attain herd immunity at the soonest possible time,” he said.

The Muntinlupa City government is doubling its efforts to get more residents vaccinated. It has four major vaccination sites at SM Center Muntinlupa, Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall upper ground floor covered parking area and the Sucat covered court. Besides having four major vaccination sites, the city government has launched the house-to-house vaccination and drive-thru services.

The home vaccination aims to inoculate bedridden residents and individuals not capable of going to vaccination sites.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi earlier said the city government is aiming to finish vaccinating 385,000 eligible residents by November to achieve herd immunity.

As of May 27, 46,015 residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine including 16,989 who got their second dose.