Athletes receive cash incentives today

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino athletes that won medals in the Incheon Asian Games and other recent international competitions will receive their cash incentives today at the Philsports Arena.

The Philippines won one gold, three silver and 11 bronze medals in Incheon, and under Republic Act 9064, a gold is worth P1 million, silver P500,000 and bronze P100,000.

Fil-American Daniel Caluag, who won the gold medal in the BMX competition, received his incentive from the Philippine Sports Commission before he flew back to the United States.

Today, the others will receive theirs, according to PSC chairman Richie Garcia. He said more than P5 million in incentives will be handed out today.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuancgo is in Bangkok for the ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committee) meeting. But the rest of the POC board, including vice president Jose Romasanta, will be there to hand out the incentives to the athletes.

“Hopefully maganda ang Pasko ng mga athletes natin (they will have a merry Christmas),” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia yesterday.

Before the awarding, the athletes and officials will head the First Friday mass.

Also to receive their incentives are medalists in the recent Para Games, the members of the dragon boat team that won medals in the World Championships in Poland, and other events covered by RA 9064.

Garcia thanked Pagcor for the immediate release of the incentives.