House Bills supporting athletes’ welfare welcomed

MANILA, Philippines – Athletes past and present have become an unceasing source of pride for the Philippines. Now it’s the government’s turn to pay back their deeds. Sen. Francis Escudero welcomed the endorsements of three House Bills which seek to strengthen efforts to honor retired professional champion athletes. “Majority of our professional athletes, especially the boxers, come from poor families. They stake their lives in their chosen sport, but most of them retire with not much except their trophies and belts, and only memories of their champion days. Government should assure them of health benefits, at least," Escudero said. As a member of the 13th Congress, the former Sorsogon province representative co-authored with Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the first district of South Cotobato House Bill 4068 or the “Act Granting Certain Privileges and Monthly Pensions to Former World Boxing Champions". Antonino-Custodio is also the author of HB 278 which seeks to grant retired professional champions P15,000 in monthly pension upon reaching the age of 50. It also seeks to provide each member of a world champion team with a lifetime incentive of P10,000 as soon as he turns 50 years old. Antonino-Custodio co-authored the bill with Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro. Another bill, HB 244, seeks to specify incentive packages and health-care benefits to retired professional athletes. It is authored by Rep. Manuel Zamora of the first district of Compostela Valley. HB 2484, authored by Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City, seeks to amend the Sports Incentives Act (or Republic Act 9064) which seeks to include professional world champions among the recipients of government incentives besides winners in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics. Puentevella, a former Philippine Sports Commissioner, also wants to include winners in the Paralympics and Special Olympics among the recipients. Escudero said he sees an overwhelming support from his Senate colleagues in all these endeavors. “That is the beauty of sports. Wala ditong partisanship, walang pulitika at inaasahan natin na magkakaroon pa ito ng malawak na suporta," Escudero added. – GMANews.TV