LET THE WHOLE SENATE STAND WITH MINDANAO:
NEW MAJORITY TO DONATE ONE-MONTH SALARY TO RELIEF EFFORTS, INVITES MINORITY TO DO THE SAME
Members of the Senate majority bloc have taken steps to help victims of the magnitude-7.8 quake that devastated parts of Mindanao on Monday – and invited their colleagues from the minority to join them in this effort.
“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 said in a statement.
They said that they have agreed to donate one month’s salary to help those affected by the disaster.
“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,” they expressed.
“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.”
As of early Tuesday, Office of Civil Defense deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said that as of 6 a.m., the quake left at least 37 people dead, 456 people were injured, and four were reported missing.
It affected 17,689 families or 77,186 people. At least 5,343 families or 19,365 people are staying in evacuation centers.
Beyond the financial value of the contribution, the Senate New Majority sought to stress the emotional weight of the gesture for communities that are still dealing with fear, loss and uncertainty.
“What we hope to give is not only financial assistance, but a clear message that Mindanao is not facing this burden alone,” they said.
“Naniniwala kami na ang unang hakbang ng sinserong pakikiramay ay ang ipaabot sa mga taga-Mindanao ang mensaheng handa ang pamahalaang tumulong sa oras ng pangangailangan,” they added.
The group said the assistance should follow the needs identified by those on the ground, particularly in areas where families require basic supplies and temporary support while damage assessments continue.
“Our 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,” they noted.
The Senate New Majority also widened its appeal beyond the chamber, urging Filipinos who are able to extend assistance to Mindanao through prayer, donations or other forms of help.
“We ask the entire nation to keep Mindanao in their prayers and, where able, to give in any way they can, because in moments of calamity, every act of kindness becomes part of the country’s healing,” they expressed.
The group said coordination with government agencies and local officials will be necessary to ensure that assistance supports both immediate relief and the longer process of restoring communities.
“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 stated.