Congressmen to donate P20,000 each from their pay to `Sendong’ victims

MANILA, Philippines–Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. announced on Monday that each congressman will be required to donate at least P20,000 from his salary to victims of tropical storm Sendong in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities.

Belmonte said House Resolution 2017 is now being circulated for signature of 284 House members allowing their donation. Belmonte and An Waray Rep. Bem Noel said they will give P100,000 each as personal donation.

Alagad Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said he was giving his one month salary to the victims. Marcoleta also said he had already donated 25 sacks of rice to victims in Cagayan de Oro and was coursed through the office of Abante Mindanao Party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez.

Noel, chair of the House accounts committee, said the House will also give P1 million cash to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and P500,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross. Also, the House will give sacks of rice, food and clothing to the victims. At least P5.7 million donation is expected to be collected from salaries of congressmen.