PH Asian Games delegation gets additional P6,000 allowance; incentives await for more than four golds

Athletes and coaches who will participate in the 2026 Asian Games are assured of an additional P6,000 allowance as they head to Japan to represent the country in the continental tournament.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio said the additional allowance will be given on top of what athletes and coaches are already receiving.

“All coaches and all para [athletes] and all national athletes will get P6,000 additional allowance over and above what they will get,” Gregorio said, adding that the additional allowance was directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Additional incentives also await the entire delegation should the Philippine team surpass the four-gold haul it achieved in the previous edition in China, although the details have yet to be announced.

“Let us achieve more and when you come back, you will have a very good Christmas. I assure you,” Gregorio said in his speech.

A better Christmas awaits athletes if the PH delegation exceeds last edition's gold medal haul, says Gregorio @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/dReAjgJmg7

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 10, 2026

The Philippines bagged a total of 18 medals at the 2023 Asian Games, including gold medals from EJ Obiena in athletics, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez in jiu-jitsu, and Gilas Pilipinas in basketball.

The country also won silver medals through wushu’s Arnel Mandal and boxer Eumir Marcial, as well as 18 bronze medals, including two from tennis star Alex Eala in women’s singles and mixed doubles with Francis Alcantara.

Gregorio believes the Philippines can surpass its four-gold haul in this year’s Asiad.

“All of them they have the potential to win medals, they have the potential to win gold. Hindi po natin sila pine-pressure, mino-motivate natin sila to really perform well,” he said.

Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, signed in 2015, mandates the government to reward athletes who win medals in international competitions such as the Asian Games.

An Asian Games gold medalist will receive P2 million, while silver medalists will get P1 million and bronze medalists P400,000. For team events, the prize money will depend on the composition of each team.

The Asian Games will officially open on September 19, but the Philippines will begin its campaign on Friday, with Gilas Pilipinas opening its title defense against Bahrain.

—GMA News