MANILA, Philippines — Christmas came early yesterday for Filipino athletes after receiving their cash rewards from the Philippine Olympic Committee in a General Assembly held at the Conrad Hotel a week after the 30th SEA Games.
No less than POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino spearheaded the turnover of the incentives to 149 SEA Games gold medalists led by skateboarding champion Margielyn Didal and new marathon queen Christine Hallasgo.
The POC handed out a hefty P200,000 for each individual gold medalist and P75,000 for each member from team sports for a total of P33 million.
“This is the first time that the POC has given incentives to our medalists and this could not be possible if not for the trust and support of our private partners,” said Tolentino, giving props to sponsors like the MVP Sports Foundation, PBA, San Miguel Corp., Phoenix owner Dennis Uy and the House of Representatives for making this possible for the athletes.
“After all, it’s for the athletes. They deserve it. We are proud of the unity, sacrifice and patriotism of all our athletes. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” added Tolentino.
Silver and bronze medalists, on the other hand, are not to be left behind as they are set to receive their own POC incentives on Dec. 19 and 20.
Aside from POC rewards, the Filipino SEA Games gold mint winners are also expected to haul a total of P550,000 from President Duterte and under R.A 10699 otherwise known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefit and Incentives Act.
Duterte will recognize the golden feat of the Filipino athletes with a cash bonus of P250,000 for very gold medal today in a courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace. Under R.A. 10699, a gold medal is worth P300,000 in the SEA Games.
All gold medalists now stand to receive a whopping P750,000.
Tolentino, who also represents Cavite’s eighth district, believes that this bonuses could only add fuel to the Nationals in striving for more international success starting with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 SEAG in Vietnam.
“Our athletes will surely persevere more,” he said. “And mark my word, this is only the beginning. We’re just getting started.”
Meanwhile, the sacrifice and success of new sports like modern pentathlon, surfing, bridge, kurash, jiu-jitsu and sambo in the SEA Games paid off as Tolentino baptized them as regular members of the POC from here on.
All sports delivered medals in the biennial meet to contribute in the country’s successful bid in reclaiming of the SEA Games overall crown it last won in 2005.