Senators from the Gatchalian-led Senate majority bloc announced they will donate one month’s salary to victims of the 7.8‑magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao.
“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,” the bloc said in a joint statement.
They urged colleagues from the Cayetano-led minority bloc to join the effort: “While this is a small contribution, we hope our colleagues in the minority will join us in this effort. After all, we are senators of all Filipino people. This is a moment when the Senate, whatever its internal divisions, can still speak through one act of shared compassion.”
According to the Office of Civil Defense, the quake left 37 dead, 456 injured, and four missing in Sarangani.
The bloc said their contribution should go to immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicine, temporary shelter, and other assistance identified by local responders.
“We will continue to coordinate with the proper national and local authorities to support relief, reconstruction and the safe restoration of essential services in affected areas,” they added. # (ZIA LUNA)
