Marcos' office to provide additional cash incentives to SEA Games medalists

The Office of the President will provide additional cash incentives to Filipino medalists of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand last year. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced this during the Parangal at Pasasalamat sa mga Bayaning Atleta at the Foro de Intramuros in Manila on Wednesday. 

“Buong pagmamalaki naming kinikilala ang husay at galing na ipinamalas ninyo. Ngunit, may medalya man o wala, panalo kayong lahat sa puso ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Marcos said.

(We take pride in the skills and talents that you've shown. Even without medals, you are all winners for us.)

The incentives are on top of what is mandated under the law. 

Marcos said his office will provide an additional P300,000 to gold medalists; P150,000 to silver medalists; and P60,000 to bronze medalists.

Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, mandates the state to support national athletes and coaches by providing benefits and incentives.

Under the law, the state provides P300,000 for gold medalists in the SEA Games, P150,000 for silver medalists, and P60,000 for bronze medalists. 

The law also grants national athletes privileges such as discounts in select establishments, discounts in certain leisure facilities, and free medical and dental consultations in government hospitals and similar institutions, among others.

Meanwhile, Marcos said his office would also give P10,000 each for athletes who won in other competitions other than the SEA Games.

Marcos mentioned that there are ongoing efforts to improve the quality of sports development in the country, hoping that more Filipinos will be inspired to pursue a career in sports.

Team Philippines finished 6th overall, bagging 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals across various sporting events.

Under the government’s incentive program, the medalists will receive cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through the support of the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Further, each medalist will also receive a Presidential Citation.

Joining the President during the ceremony were First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino. 

Judging issues?

In a chance interview, SEA Games gold medalist Eumir Marcial mentioned that there have been issues with judging during the competition; but he said they are still thankful for the support of Filipinos to them. 

''Lahat ng sports, hindi talaga fair 'yung judging pero nagpapasalamat pa rin kami, unang-una sa Panginoon at sa lahat ng mga Pilipino na sumuporta sa amin na ito nakuha namin 'yung gold medal,'' Marcial said.

(In all sports, the judging seemed to be unfair but we're still thankful... first to the Lord and to all Filipinos who supported us and because of that we got the gold medal.) 

Marcial said their triumph is for the entire nation.

For her part, Wushu athlete and gold medalist Agatha Wong said the support of the government to the athletes has been ''overwhelming.'' 

''I'm really excited that I got to be part of something so historic...'' Wong said. — KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News