IN recognition and appreciation of their efforts in the recent Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, President Duterte last Tuesday night doubled the bonuses of all the country’s medalists who saw action in Hanoi and surrounding areas.
“President Duterte was very pleased by the performance of our athletes in the last Vietnam SEA Games and doubling their incentives is his way of recognizing and showing his appreciation for their efforts,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, who led the courtesy call of the Philippine delegation at Malacañang.
Also present at the reception were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham Tolentino, Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, the national team chef de mission; Celia Kiram, Charles Maxey, Celia Kiram and Rep. Faustino Dy III, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports.
“Please know that I really recognize all the tedious preparations you have made to perform your best in this regional sports competition. Just like a father to every Filipino, I am very proud of you,” Duterte told athletes, coaches and sports officials present at the reception held at the Rizal Hall.
“I wish you all a good life para sa ginawa ninyo sa bayan. I would like to say to all of you, maraming, maraming salamat,” the Chief Executive said in his off-the-cuff remarks to the assembly.
The President matched P34,537,500 in total cash incentives that all of the medalists will receive under Republic Act 10699, the incentives law.
Under the law, an individual gold medal is worth P300,000, a silver P150,000, and P65,000 for the bronze.
The Filipino campaigners returned home with 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals in finishing fourth overall in the medal standings of the 11-nation biennial meet.
Gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, set receive P1.6 million from the five golds and two silvers he garnered in the Vietnam SEA Games, will get the biggest bounty — a whopping P3.2 million for his outstanding achievements in Hanoi.
The dynamic dancesport duo of Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila, who bagged three golds medals, will receive P1.8 million apiece.
Kim Mangrobang, who swept the women’s triathlon and duathlon events, and billiards star Carlo Biado, who ruled the men’s 9-ball and 10-ball competitions, will get P600,000 each for their respective golden doubles.
Besides bonuses, the President also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi to some of the medalists who were not recipients of the citation during the ceremony.
Among those who received the honor is billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, who took the bronze medal in the men’s 1-cushion carom singles.
The Kamagi Medal is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who actively participated in and contributed to a campaign or advocacy of the President.
