PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday doubled the cash incentives for the athletes who won medals in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games last May and the Asean Para Games last June, a development that was cheered by the country’s sporting heroes.
Earlier, the President said he felt “a little embarrassed” with the little support the government is giving to athletes given their sacrifices, hard work and the honor they give the country whenever they compete abroad.
“I am always a little embarrassed when I see that we are not supporting our athletes and our coaches and our trainers and all the support groups, even the families,” the President said during the awarding of incentives at Malacanang.
“Ipinagmamalaki namin kayo, kaya susuklian namin ang inyong ginawang sakripisyo at dinalang dangal para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas,” Marcos told over 300 athletes who showed up.
“Asahan niyo na sa administrasyong ito, gagawin natin ang lahat na maipalabas natin ang kagalingan at husay ng ating atleta,” he added.
The President’s generous gesture meant he was matching the P49,706,250 in total cash incentives that all of the medalists will receive under Republic Act 10699.
Under the law, a SEA Games individual gold medal is worth P300,000, a silver medal worth P150,000 and P60,000 for the bronze, while APG medalists will receive half of this amount per medal.
Team Philippines took home 260 medals — 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze — from the 32nd SEA Games and a record breaking 117 medals with 34 gold, 33 silvers, 50 bronzes from the 12th APG.
“President Marcos was pleased by the performance of our athletes, and we thank his generosity that would definitely boost the morale of our sports heroes,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann.
In his welcome remarks, Bachmann said that “with a great deal of challenge and circumstances, this batch of national athletes managed to overcome. You have reminded this nation that our resiliency is a gift that allows us to conquer obstacles in pursuit of greatness,” added the PSC chief.
Also present during the rites were PSC Commissioners Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, Edward Hayco, and Walter Torres, along with Executive Director Paulo Tatad.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, Sen. Francis Tolentino, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo also joined the rites.
