The photo shows a soldier treating two children over a meal
The Philippine military will donate a portion of their May salary to support the country’s fight against the highly infectious and fatal COVID-19.
This move includes members of the Philippine army from AFP chief General Felimon Santos Jr. to the lowest-ranking personnel, which will total to approximately P16.9 million.
“In commiserating with our kababayan who were unfortunate to contract the disease; and as a manifestation of full support to government, each regular member of the AFP –from the highest-ranking general to the lowest-ranking personnel – will donate an amount based on a certain percentage deduction from their respective base pays for the month of May,” Santos said in a statement on Wednesday, April 8.
The contribution will depend on the ranking such that the AFP chief will donate the biggest chunk, which is P10,484. Meanwhile, the lowest-ranking soldier will donate P100. This covers a private, an airman, or an apprentice seaman.
Every donation is essential in the country’s fight against the further spread of the new coronavirus. At the moment, there is a Luzon-wide lockdown being implemented that is set to end on April 30. It was initially estimated to end around mid-April but a two-week extension was deemed necessary. The lockdown has significantly affected millions of Filipinos.
“Our heart goes out to our people. Seeing and feeling their hardships daily from the checkpoints, quarantine centers, and relief distribution sites we man, we commit to them our resolute efforts to win over this pandemic; we are one with them in keeping the faith that together we will hurdle this test of the Filipino’s indomitable spirit,” said Santos.
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