MANILA - Sen. Sonny Angara, who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has donated his salary to fund efforts to curb the spread of the contagious disease.

Angara confirmed his donation through a tweet, without disclosing the exact amount.

"Actually, dinonate ko na wala lang PR (press release)," the senator said in response to a netizen who asked politicians to donate their salaries to help boost the country's fight against the coronavirus.

Actually dinonate ko na wala Lang PR

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) March 19, 2020

In a separate message to ABS-CBN News, Angara said he donated "at least 2 months" worth of his salary.

"It's emergency time. 'Yung iba 'di naman mahaba pisi unlike us [and] those who live in gated subdivisions. Iba natin kababayan apektado talaga, that's clear," he said, without disclosing the exact amount.

Portions of Angara's salary were donated to the Philippine General Hospital and a coronvirus-related fundraising project of Xavier School, the senator's alma mater.

It was also used to purchase face masks and disinfectants for at least 5 hospitals, as well as food packs to some 9 barangays in Metro Manila, according to a list from the senator's office.

According to the Term of Office and Privileges in the Senate website, a senator earns P204,000 a month, based on Section 17, Article XVIII of the Constitution.

It however notes that "under Joint Resolution No. 1, the salaries of the members of the Senate is increased to salary grade 33 with a monthly equivalent rate of P35,000.00."

In 2019, Angara, among the 10 wealthiest senators, declared a net worth of P139 million.

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Angara is among 3 senators infected with COVID-19, along with senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. At least 3 other staff members of different senators also contracted the virus.

Angara's family and household helpers were earlier isolated to curb the possible spread of the virus to their community.

The senator earlier said he was already "recovering" from the disease through the help of friends, family, and "good doctors."

The Department of Health on Wednesday announced 227 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country's total to 2,311. It also reported 1 newly recovered patient and 8 new deaths. Of the 2,311 cases, there are now a total of 50 recoveries and 96 fatalities.