MEMBERS of the group Movement 188 vowed to donate P1 million to the victims of the earthquake that hit Western Visayas.

The lawmakers who make up the group said that while the politicians are preoccupied with the impeachment trial, they cannot ignore the needs of the victims of calamities.

The P1 million, P500,000 of which will come from the lead convenor of the group Negros Occidental Rep. Alfred Benitez, will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Aside from the Movement 188 members, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and congressmen of Region 6 will also contribute to the fund.

Those who vowed help are Compostela Valley Rep. Maricar Zamora-Apsay, l, Abra Rep. Joy Bernos, An Waray Rep. Bem Noel, Ako Bikol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Western Samar Rep. Mel Sarmiento, Biliran Rep. Roger Espina, Mt Province Rep. Maximo Dalog, Cavite Rep. Roy Loyola, Manila Rep. Carlo Lopez, Misamis Occidental Rep. Leo Campos, Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos, North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco.

“While Movement 188 is primarily pushing for structural reforms in our society to strengthen democratic institutions, we cannot ignore the urgent needs of victims of calamities. We need to contribute not only to help provide their basic needs but also to give them hope and inspire them to move forward,” the group said.