Gold-winning athletes to get up to P10-M incentive from gov’t

National athletes, coaches and trainers who win in international competitions are now entitled to more incentives following the enactment of Republic Act 10699.

The new law repeals the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

In a news release on Saturday, Senator Sonny Angara, who chairs the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports, lauded the enactment of the law, which also recognizes athletes with disabilities.

“It’s high time we recognize our outstanding athletes with disabilities, which is why we included them among the national athletes deserving of incentives should they win in international competitions,” he said.

“Likewise, we wanted to recognize and give justice to our winning national athletes by increasing the amount of prizes and benefits for them to receive,” he added.

Olympics gold, silver, and bronze medalists will be granted P10 million, P5M and P2M each respectively.

Asian Games gold, and silver medalists will be granted P2 million and P1M each respectively while bronze medalists will get P400,000.

For the SEA Games, up to P300,000 can be taken home by winning national athletes.

Meanwhile, winning teams with five or more members will get 25 percent each from the said amounts for individual medal winners.

National athletes who join and win in other international competitions not mentioned, might also be eligible to receive cash incentives depending on the contest.

Moreover,  athletes would also get other benefits such as discounts for transportation, hotels, lodging, and scholarships to name a few. — Andrei Medina/LBG, GMA News