Pinapurihan ng Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) ang naging hakbang ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na pagdo-donate ng bahagi ng kanilang base pay sa Mayo para sa mga apektadong mamamayan sa COVID-19 pandemic.
Sinabi ni Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles na siya ring spokesman ng IATF, gaya ng pahayag ni AFP Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, mula sa pinakamataas na opisyal at pinakamababang ranggo ang kasali sa nasabing pagbibigay ng donasyon.
Ayon kay Sec. Nograles, mga frontliners na nga ang mga sundalo pero nagawa pa nilang magkusang mamahagi ng tulong mula sa kanilang sariling bulsa.
Kasabay nito, pinasalamatan din ni Sec. Nograles ang iba pang pribadong sektor na gumagawa rin ng sariling relief operations sa mga kababayang apektado ng enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Yesterday, AFP Spokesperson Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo announced that 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 of their respective base pays for the month of May. According to General Arevalo, these deductions that will be donated will be equitable according to rank. For example, AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos, Jr., will give the biggest contribution of 10,484 pesos, while the AFP’s lowest ranking soldiers––privates, airmen, or apprentice seamen––will be donating 100 pesos,” ani Sec. Nograles.
“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. Sa ating mga bayani mula sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, maraming salamat po.”
