PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he would consult two-time Olympics medalist Carlos Yulo about the possible assistance the government could extend to improve the sports program in the country, including promoting the welfare of athletes and helping increase their chances of succeeding in their respective fields.
In an interview on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project-Stage 1 (IDRR-CCA 1) in Pampanga, Marcos said Yulo deserves all the recognition and incentives coming his way after winning gold medals in the men’s vault and floor exercise of the Paris Games.
Marcos also believes that Yulo would continue to achieve more.
Asked if an additional reward would be given, he said Yulo is already guaranteed P20 million in cash apart from additional incentives from private groups.
Under Republic Act 10699, Olympic medalists are rewarded P10 million, P5 million for silver and P2 million for bronze.
“I’m going to ask him what we can do. He has already 20 million…I think if he needs, hindi na siguro siya mangangailangan ng pera. Pero para sa akin, ang interest ko dumami ang medalists kagaya niya (I’m going to ask him what can we do. He already has 20 million… I think if he needs it, I don’t think he needs money. For me, my interest is to increase the number of medalists like him),” the President said.
He said he would ask Yulo whether there is a need to change current organizations, where to focus funding and the like.
He said that following Yulo’s experience, including preparations for the competition, he would have better insights into the needs of the sports industry.
The President also congratulated Filipina boxer Aira Villegas for bagging the bronze medal in Paris.
Marcos said Villegas has made Filipinos proud and recognized her as an inspiration to young Filipinas.
“Congratulations, Aira! That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas. Thank you for bringing home the bronze. Mabuhay ka,” the President said.
Villegas bagged the bronze after losing to Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the women’s 50-kilogram semifinals on Wednesday.
SENATE REWARD
Senate President Francis Escudero said senators will “pass the hat” so they can reward Yulo.
“By tradition din ang ginagawa naman ng Senado, wala naman akong kakayahan tulad ng ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan, so tulad ng ginagawa ng Senado in the past, nag-pa pass the hat ang mga senador para dito,” he said.
Escudero said he would also ask his colleagues to do the same for EJ Obiena even if he did not win a medal in the Olympics. Obiena finished fourth in the pole vault event.
“That is a great achievement and accomplishment. He has shown how big his heart is to continue the fight with all his might. That also deserves to be recognized,” he said. — With Raymond Africa
