The municipality of Piddig in Ilocos Norte is giving free rice as a gift to senior citizens aged 80 and above who will get vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

A mobile vaccination clinic was launched to reach out more residents in rural areas, especially the senior citizens.

On Tuesday, the team went to Calambeg and Maruaya Elementary Schools for the vaccination of senior citizens.

Elderly residents aged 80 to 84 will get five kilos of rice after getting their first dose while those aged 85 to 89 will receive five kilos each on their first and second doses of vaccine.

Vaccinated seniors aged 90 and above will also get 10 kilos each on their first and second doses.

Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen said the rice grant is their way of encouraging more senior citizens to get vaccinated, as they are the most vulnerable to Covid-19, especially the highly transmissible Delta variant.

“Vaccinating the elderly of Piddig town means they will less likely to suffer from severe illness and death,” Guillen said in an interview.

He said he hopes that the eligible population of the town will be vaccinated by the end of the year.

In support of the national government’s vaccination rollout, the Piddig municipality has allocated PHP5.5 million from its local funds to buy more vaccines while its 23 component barangays were urged to use their calamity funds to provide relief aid to their constituents under quarantine. (PNA)