Condo unit, other prizes await vaccinated students

CEBU, Philippines —  Even before they earn their own money, minors in Cebu City have a chance to own a condo unit, car, or motorcycle.

This, after the Cebu City government formally launched the “Balik Eskwela PabakunaTa Extrabonanza” at the Tisa II Elementary School with Mayor Michael Rama leading the ceremonies.

Based on records from the city’s Vaccine Operations Center, 217,198 children are currently enrolled in public and private schools here with 103,675 school-age children are vaccinated.

Melissa de la Cruz, project director, said their mission is to increase the number of kids who are COVID-vaccinated.

“Our approach is shaped by all the best practices Cebu City picked up in our vaccination campaign – info-education, immunization, and incentives,” dela Cruz said.

With this incentive program, their mission is expected to be lighter as more youngsters under the eligible population along with their teachers, and parent-guardians to get the anti-COVID-19 shot.

More to the incentive though, Rama emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and protection with the full implementation of the face-to-face classes again.

“We have a moral obligation before God, to take care of the future of our children,” Rama said.

Last year, Cebu City had the PabakunaTa Bonanza with the lucky winners from the vaccinated adult population winning a house and lot, car, and motorcycles.

This time, it will be the vaccinated minors who will get a chance to win DECA condominium units, a car, and ten motorcycles while minor prizes include TVs, tablets, laptops, and home appliances in the Balik Eskwela PabakunaTa Extrabonanza as reported by the city’s Public Information Office.

Based on the guidelines, minors aged 5 to 17, will be the main prize recipients of the major prizes while their guardian or parent will get another set of prizes.

All minors registered in the Cebu City Vaccine Information Management System (VIMS) will be eligible for the raffle draw which will be done in February 2023.

Although this is mainly for minors, their identity will be concealed during the raffle draw for their own safety, accordingly. — GMR (FREEMAN)