New Senate majority to donate one month’s salary to quake victims
MANILA, Philippines – The new Senate majority will donate their one month salary to support the relief efforts for communities affected by the massive quake that struck Sarangani on Monday.
The commitment comes as the Office of the Civil Defense reported at least 37 deaths, four missing persons, and 456 injured individuals.
The earthquake has also affected at least 77,186 people across Mindanao.
READ: Magnitude 7.8 earthquake leaves 35 dead, 200 injured in Mindanao
“As a personal contribution to the relief effort, members of the Senate New Majority are prepared to donate one month of our salary to help support affected communities,” the bloc said in a joint statement Tuesday.
Led by Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Majority Leader Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, the group also includes Sens. Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Lito Lapid, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
“The Senate New Majority stands with the families and communities in Mindanao who are now facing the painful work of rescue, relief, rebuilding and recovery after the powerful earthquake,” they added.
Based on data from the Department of Budget and Management, members of Congress receive monthly salaries ranging from P278,434 to P381,748.
Collectively, the bloc could contribute more than P3 million.
The senators also urged their colleagues in the minority to participate in the initiative.
READ: Tsunami waves hit 6 areas after Mindanao earthquake, says Phivolcs
“While this is a small contribution, we hope our colleagues in the minority will join us in this effort… This is a moment when the Senate, whatever its internal divisions, can still speak through one act of shared compassion,” the bloc noted.
Upon donation, the majority bloc said their contribution “should go to immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicine, temporary shelter and other assistance identified by local communities and responders on the ground.”/dp
HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.
Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.
The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.
