Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte announced her plans to donate a year’s worth of salary towards creating a trust fund for the staff of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
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The state-run SPMC is currently leading the struggle against the coronavirus in Davao as the only COVID-19 dedicated hospital in the city as well as the lone test laboratory in Mindanao. It has handled hundreds of cases since the beginning of the outbreak.
Duterte explained that the trust fund would go towards SPMC health workers who have been infected with COVID-19. She expressed being bothered that 12 SPMC employees have tested positive for COVID-19, so far.
“I contemplated to use this as [a] trust fund for SPMC employees who tested positive,” Duterte said.
“I know this cannot compensate for all the fear, anxiety, and exhaustion. Money cannot make up for everything but at least they would have some money that they can use,” she added.
The mayor’s annual salary amounts to Php 2,144,266 and should be a “decent amount” to start the trust fund.
Dr. Leopoldo Vega, SPMC medical director, assured that testing is required for all frontline workers in the facility. From the 12 who tested positive, 10 have already recovered and been discharged. The remaining 2 are still admitted but in stable condition.
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