No cash incentive for Carlos Yulo?

MANILA, Philippines — Surprisingly, Republic Act 10699 otherwise known as the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001 does not cover Carlos Yulo’s historic feat in the recent World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha.

This means that under the law, the 18-year-old Yulo, who won the bronze medal in the floor exercise to become the first Filipino gymnast to win a medal in the world championships, is not bound to receive any cash incentive from the government.

But Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez said it’s not too late to consider Yulo’s breakthrough win in the prestigious event as a special case.

“In the absence of the provision, the PSC board will assess Yulo’s performance in Doha,” Ramirez told The STAR.

Under Republic Act 10699, incentives are awarded to athletes winning medals in major international events such as the Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, Youth Olympics, Asian Games, Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, the Para Games of such level, and World Championships that are held once every two years and participated in by at least 45 countries per sport.

The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are held on an annual basis, and despite the high level of competition, which is truly world class, it does not fall under the RA 10699 clause.

Under the law, a gold medal in any World Championships is worth P1 million, silver P500,000 and bronze P200,000.

“We will look into this,” said Ramirez, acknowledging that Yulo is a young athlete who has sacrificed a lot to bring honors to the country.

Yulo comes from a poor family in Leveriza in Manila, and has been training in Japan for over two years now, away from his parents and sibling, who benefit most from the P40,000 monthly allowance he gets from the PSC.

“Mabait na bata (He’s a wonderful kid). The PSC board will evaluate his performance,” said Ramirez of Yulo.

The PSC does not spend for Yulo’s training in Japan, including the $3,000 monthly salary of his Japanese coach, and his board and lodging and other expenses.

Gymastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said she relies on the MVP Sports Foundation to take care of Yulo’s needs, and the Philippine Good Works Mission Foundation.

Ramirez said he’s willing to sit down with Carrion.

“We hope we can sit down with them so we can address their needs. I will call the attention of our NSA Affairs to look into this,” said Ramirez.