“Ipinagmamalaki namin kayo, kaya susuklian namin ang inyong ginawang sakripisyo at dinalang dangal para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas.”
Amid loud cheers, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the above to over 300 Team Philippines medalists present during the incentives awarding at Malacañang Palace, Wednesday (Aug. 9) afternoon.
As an expression of recognition and appreciation for their efforts, President Marcos doubled the incentives of the country’s medalists at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and 12th ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Cambodia, as later announced by the Office of the President after the awarding.
“Asahan niyo na sa administrasyong ito, gagawin natin ang lahat na maipalabas natin ang kagalingan at husay ng ating atleta,” Marcos vowed.
The President’s generous gesture meant that he was matching the P49,706,250 in total cash incentives that all of the medalists will receive under Republic Act 10699.
Under the law, a SEAG individual gold medal is worth P300,000, a silver medal worth P150,000 and P60,000 for the bronze, while APG medalists will receive half of this amount per medal.
“President Marcos was pleased by the performance of our athletes, and we thank his generosity that would definitely boost the morale of our sports heroes,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann.
In his welcome speech, Bachmann highlighted that “with a great deal of challenge and circumstances, this batch of national athletes managed to overcome. You have reminded this nation that our resiliency is a gift that allows us to conquer obstacles in pursuit of greatness,” added the PSC chief.
Also present in the awarding to show their appreciation to the athletes were PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, Commissioner Fritz Gaston, Commissioner Edward Hayco, Commissioner Walter Torres and Executive Director Paulo Tatad, together with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman & CEO Alejandro Tengco, Senator Francis Tolentino, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Michael Barredo.
Team Philippines took home 260 medals with 58 gold, 85 silvers, and 117 bronzes from the 32nd SEA Games and a record breaking 117 medals with 34 gold, 33 silvers, 50 bronzes from the 12th APG.
