HERE’S good news for the country’s para athletes who won medals in the recent 11th Asean Para Games in Surakarta, Indonesia.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has turned over a total P12 million to the Philippine Sports Commission for the incentives of the medalists in the regional sportsfest for para athletes.
PSC Commissioner and acting officer-in-charge Bong Coo yesterday confirmed the turnover of the bonuses, thanking both Pagcor and Malacanang for releasing the money.
“This shows that President Bongbong Marcos has a soft spot for our para athletes and would not want any delay in the bonuses they rightfully deserve for bringing honor to the country,” Coo said.
Coo added the PSC is arranging a courtesy call at the Palace where the Chief Executive is expected to personally award the bonuses.
With most of them coming from a four-year layoff and with limited training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pinoy para athletes emerged with their best finish in the APG with a haul of 28 gold, 30 silver and 46 bronze medals, landing fifth overall in the 11-nation meet.
Under Republic Act 10699, the revised incentives law, individual gold medalists will get P150,000, silver medalists, P75,000, and P30,000 for bronze medalist.
As the country’s most bemedaled athlete, FIDE Master Sander Severino will receive P500,000 for his four gold and two silver medals in the men’s team and individual events.
Para swimmers and triple gold medalists Ariel Patrick Alegarbes and Angel Otom will receive P450,000 apiece while Tokyo Paralympian and veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan netted P382,500 for bringing home two golds, one silver and one bronze medal.
Pretty wheelchair thrower Cendy Asusano netted P330,000 for her two mints and one bronze while wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan gained P300,000 for his golden double.