MANILA — Members of the new Senate Majority bloc have pledged to donate one month of their salaries to support relief efforts for communities affected by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on Monday.

The group also called on their colleagues in the minority bloc to extend similar assistance to help victims of the disaster.

“The Senate New Majority stands with the families and communities in Mindanao who are now facing the painful work of rescue, relief, rebuilding and recovery after the powerful earthquake,” they said in a statement.

“As a personal contribution to the relief effort, members of the Senate New Majority are prepared to donate one month of our salary to help support affected communities,” they expressed.

“While this is a small contribution, we hope our colleagues in the minority will join us in this effort. After all, we are senators of all Filipino people. This is a moment when the Senate, whatever its internal divisions, can still speak through one act of shared compassion.”

According to the Office of Civil Defense deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano, as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the earthquake has left at least 37 dead, 456 injured, and four missing.

The disaster affected 17,689 families or 77,186 individuals. Of these, 5,343 families or 19,365 people are currently staying in evacuation centers.

The Senate New Majority said the gesture goes beyond financial aid, stressing the need to send a message of solidarity to affected communities.

“What we hope to give is not only financial assistance, but a clear message that Mindanao is not facing this burden alone,” they said.

“Naniniwala kami na ang unang hakbang ng sinserong pakikiramay ay ang ipaabot sa mga taga-Mindanao ang mensaheng handa ang pamahalaang tumulong sa oras ng pangangailangan,” they added.

The group said the assistance should be directed toward urgent needs identified on the ground, including food, water, medicine, temporary shelter, and other essential supplies.

“Our contribution should go to immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicine, temporary shelter and other assistance identified by local communities and responders on the ground,” they noted.

The Senate New Majority also encouraged the public to extend support through prayers and donations.

“We ask the entire nation to keep Mindanao in their prayers and, where able, to give in any way they can, because in moments of calamity, every act of kindness becomes part of the country’s healing,” they expressed.

They further said coordination with national and local authorities will be necessary to ensure proper distribution of aid and support for recovery efforts.

“We will continue to coordinate with the proper national and local authorities to support relief, reconstruction and the safe restoration of essential services in affected areas,” they stated.