THERE will be a delay in the awarding of P12 million in cash incentives to the country’s medalists in the recent 11th Asean Para Games in Surakarta, Indonesia until the board of the Philippine Sports Commission is finally formed, according to a PSC source.
“The release of the incentives needs a resolution of the PSC board so it might take some time until Malacañang appoints the new PSC chairman and the three other commissioners,” said the source, adding the bonuses will come from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Only one commissioner, former national bowling standout and Philippine Bowling Federation president Olivia “Bong” Coo, has been appointed so far by the Palace in late June and now serves as the agency’s officer-in-charge until the complete five-man board is formed.
“Pagcor could also act on the issue but also need a complete board to pass the required resolution so the bonuses can be released to the PSC and awarded to the medalists in the Asean Para Games,” the source explained.
“If the PSC had a functioning board, then it could decide on the incentives of our Asean Para Games heroes with dispatch,” the source added.
The bonuses will be awarded during the courtesy call of the Philippine para contingent on President Marcos Jr. at Malacanang being arranged by the government sports agency.
Out of the 144 para athletes who saw action in the regional meet, 80 of them in nine sports garnered a total of 28 gold, 30 silver and 46 bronze medals, an all-time high, as the country finished fifth overall in the 11-nation meet.
Their sterling haul surpassed the previous best of 24 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronzes in the 2009 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Based on Republic Act 10699, the revised incentives law, individual gold medalists will get P150,000, silver medalists, P75,000, and P30,000 for bronze medalists, or half what able-bodied national athletes ges for their performances in the Southeast Asian Games.