PSC announces hike in athletes’ stipend

MANILA, Philippines — Christmas came early for the national athletes and coaches after newly installed Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio announced a P5,000 increase in their monthly allowance starting next month.

The good news came during yesterday’s general assembly that he called just a few days after he was appointed as the new chief of the government sports-funding agency.

“There will be a P5,000 (increase) across the board. Why? Because we realized that so many athletes still get P10,000 per month,” said Gregorio. “Mas mababa pa ‘yun sa (lower than) minimum wage.”

The former PBA chair and Philippine Rowing Association chief said the stipend hike would cost the PSC P10 million a month.

“We have friends in Congress. They could give us a budget increase,” he said.

Gregorio said the move was in line with the marching order by President Marcos to take care of the national athletes.

Apart from the increase, Gregorio vowed to facilitate the process of the release of allowances and put up a round-the-clock help desk for the national team to cater for all its needs including food.

He also ordered the enhancement of the athletes’ canteen at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, PhilSports Complex in Pasig and the training center in Baguio.