The municipality of Naval, Biliran has started offering free rides to its vaccinated residents to encourage more people to get jab against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Mayor Gerard Espina said in a Facebook post on Thursday they started offering the free rides on Sept. 1 to passengers who already received either double or single dose of any vaccine brand.

The program is for passengers of G-Shuttle, an electronic vehicle or e-trike that uses cleaner source of energy.

“For a resident to avail the free ride, they only have to present their vaccination card. The ride is free as long as it is within the downtown area,” Espina said.

Before the scheme, he said they consulted with the local transport sector, adding “we are thankful that the transport sector is very supportive for this program.”

Passengers can only avail of the free G shuttle ride from the station and traveling along town hall, Kanto Nueve, Biliran Provincial Hospital, and Caneja St. corner Garcia St.

The initiative is timely since the Department of Health has started last week the direct delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to Biliran for more efficient distribution.

Citing the Aug. 30 vaccination update, Espina said only 6,626 residents belonging to the priority groups have been administered with the first dose while 4,380 individuals got the second dose.

The local government is targeting to give vaccines to 70 percent of its 57,189 population.

Earlier, the town mayor announced that they will hold a raffle draw for residents in the vaccination rollout.

Prizes up in the raffle draw in December are cows, pigs, and a motorcycle. Other prizes for the raffle draw are grocery items and rice.

The DOH-Eastern Visayas record shows that as of Aug. 31, Naval has recorded 524 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 338 recoveries and 12 deaths. (PNA)