Ilocos town raffle: Get a jab, win P200,000

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — The local government of Santiago in Ilocos Sur is urging its residents to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19, for which they may win as much as P200,000.

“It is a gift of love of Mayor Josefino Miranda and his family,” the municipal government announced on Facebook.

The raffle is aimed at encouraging people to get vaccinated “so we can go back to normal and attain a good economy in the Philippines like before,” the announcement said.

It said vaccinating at least 70 percent of the population would be a “victory,” adding that no government would campaign for vaccination if it would endanger its constituents.

Municipal officials and employees, pensioners and other government employees receiving a monthly salary of P10,000 and higher as well as immediate family members of the mayor are not qualified to join the raffle.

The initial draw will be held at the municipal plaza on Dec. 25, with prizes ranging from P50,000 in cash, two water pump generators, two flat screen television sets and 10 grocery packs worth P500.

The grand draw will be held on Dec. 30 where winners will receive the grand prize of P200,000, P100,000, two water pump generators, two flat screen TVs and 10 grocery packs worth P500.

“I hope we all continue to support our government’s continuous COVID-19 vaccination program. Let’s get vaccinated,” Miranda said.

Municipal health officer Vida Berto said 1,373 residents had received their first dose while 525 had been fully vaccinated as of Wednesday.

The local government aims to vaccinate 13,804 people or 70 percent of its eligible population.

The municipal government of Santa, also in Ilocos Sur, had earlier announced that it would raffle off a house and lot to promote the COVID-19 vaccination program.