Several other board members of Palawan have joined the trend of public officials donating their salaries to aid the fight against the pandemic COVID-19.
They agreed to forgo their salaries for the month of April in the spirit of “Bayanihan” to the provincial government’s efforts in setting up a laboratory testing center and in equipping hospitals with medical supplies to manage patients who might be manifesting symptoms in relation to the coronavirus disease.
Board member Eduardo Modesto Rodriguez said their move was brought about by a challenge for them to help more although they have already been helping at the onset of the quarantine period.
He said Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital (SPPH) will be the beneficiary of his April salary.
“Yes, [this is a] challenge by board member Prince Demaala to our colleagues na kanyang ido-donate ang kanyang salary for the month of April. On my part, I also instructed our provincial secretary to write a letter informing the provincial treasurer and accounting to deduct net of my salary for the month of April to be donated to the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital on COVID-19 related incidence,” Rodriguez said.
Board member Ryan Maminta, on the other hand, said he has formally written a letter on Tuesday informing Vice Governor Dennis Socrates of his intention to donate his monthly salary of around P80,000-P90,000.
“In the spirit of Bayanihan and sacrifice, this representation will be donating my salary for the month of April to the proposed laboratory or testing center of the province in an effort to fight COVID-19,” Maminta said.
Board member Leoncio Ola also confirmed that he will donate his one-month salary to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the province which has a total of 88 persons under investigation (PUI) as of 3 p.m., April 6.
“Magdo-donate din ako ng one month take-home pay,” Ola said in a text message to Palawan News.
Board member Cesario Benedito, meanwhile, will be donating his mid-year bonus to the SPPH.
It will be released in June, but he will do his best to give it.
“No problem sa akin mag-donate. Nabanggit ko na sa SPPH din sa akin pero kung saan ang desisyon ng mga kasama ko ay susunod lang ako,” he said.
Other board members have already extended help to Palaweños fighting COVID-19 at the onset of the enhanced community quarantine.
Board member Juan Antonio Alvarez said he has been donating to different municipalities since the Luzon-wide quarantine.
“[I] already donated my salary to different municipalities ever since lockdown started. But will still donate whatever I can spare when the time comes,” Alvarez said.
“May mga humihingi rin sa akin ng tulong,” board member Albert Rama said as he committed to support the fight against the deadly virus.
“I have been sharing to the barangays and the frontliners since the beginning of this crisis and would continue doing this in my simple capacity. Will donate my salary to individuals or barangays in need,” board member Sharon Abiog-Onda also committed.
The decision was made during the regular session of the provincial board on Tuesday.
Earlier, Governor Jose Alvarez said he will not get his salary also and will donate it instead to the fight against COVID-19.
