Military personnel to donate salary for COVID-19 fight

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) — All members of the military agreed to donate a portion of their salary for May to help in COVID-19 response efforts.

In a statement, military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said they took into account President Rodrigo Duterte’s “candid admission” on Monday night’s address that the government will lack funds to respond to the crisis.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) leadership heard the Commander-in-Chief’s candid admission in a televised address to the nation that government will not have sufficient funds to deal completely with the massive impacts of COVID-19,” Arevalo said Tuesday.

All regular members will donate based on a percentage of their pay.

Arevalo said the deduction will be based on rank.

“Since their salaries for the month of April are already out for payment, the donation—deductible from their Base Pays for the month of May— will be available by the 3rd week of April,” he added.

AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr. will give ₱10,484; while the lowest ranking soldier, either private, airman, or apprentice seaman will donate ₱100, Arevalo said

The military said it expects to raise ₱16.9 million from the effort.