Athletes yet to get incentive from city

CEBU, Philippines —  A year has passed since the last 30th Southeast Asian Games but Cebuano medalists who were promised cash incentive from the Cebu City government are yet to receive the reward.

During the heroes' welcome in Cebu City last year, Mayor Edgardo Labella announced that the city will give P300,000 to each athlete who won gold; P200 thousand to those who won silver; and P100,000 to the bronze medalists.

These amounts are three times higher than what is indicated in a city ordinance but instead of lowering the incentive, Labella instructed Councilors Donaldo Hontiveros and Jerry Guardo to find ways to for the city to keep its promise.

After all, Labella said, the Cebuano athletes have given honor not just to the city but the country, as well.

As the city’s focus shifted to the COVID-19 pandemic, the athletes were hopeful City Hall would not forget its promise. It was during the pandemic that the athletes needed the incentive most when they have lost opportunities to participate in competitions and their sponsors at the same time. Even allowances of national team members had been cut down.

Because of these, the athletes had to find ways to sustain themselves, some of whom ventured into businesses like skating champion Margielyn Didal. She won two golds at the SEA games.

Tokyo Olympic hopeful Didal went to City Hall to follow up on the incentive but to no avail. She said she tried her luck following up because she and the other athletes are supporting their own families.

Olympian Mary Joy Tabal recalled that she was able to get her incentive from the city government right away in 2017 upon her return to Cebu.

Parents, officials, and coaches told The Freeman they have not received any update from the Cebu City Sports Commission.

Long-time national team member Nino Surban shared a video of the heroes’ welcome last year on social media in the hopes of getting an update but he later deleted the video, saying he did not want to offend Labella.

Surban admitted, though, that he was not able to submit the requirements to get the incentive as he had problems with his voters’ certificate here.

In the past, cash incentives were given without requirements but the city has since required recipients to submit an authenticated copy of their birth certificate, a voter certificate, ID from parents if the athlete does not have one, certification from the Philippine Sports Commission or the Philippine Olympic Committee, and a certificate of good moral character from the PSC.

Hontiveros told The Freeman they are working on the incentives based on what is allowed in the ordinance and that they are doing their best to find other sources of funds to come up with the amount Labella has promised last year.

Labella has also said the city will find ways to give incentives to the coaches of the athletes from the city who won medals at the SEA Games.

Cebuano athletes won 19 gold medals, 17 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals, which helped pave the way for the Philippines to be declared overall champion in the games. — JMO (FREEMAN)