President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed his administration’s full support as part of the government’s way of paying back their sacrifices and hard work to put the Philippines on a higher pedestal in the world of sports.
“Lagi nating sinasabi ipinagmamalaki namin kayo. Totoo naman, ipinagmamalaki namin kayo,” President Marcos said during the awarding of incentives to athletes who brought home medals from the 32nd Southeast Asia (SEA) Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games.
The President led the distribution of incentives at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
“Dapat naman susuklian namin ang inyong ginawang sakripisyo, ang inyong dinala na dangal para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas. Kaya’t asahan ninyo na sa administrayon na ito ay gagawin natin ang lahat para masuportahan natin at ipalabas natin ang kagalingan, ang husay ng ating atleta,” the President said.
The chief executive also honored the Filipino athletes for demonstrating the strength of the Filipino spirit, the grace of the Filipino character and the passion of the Filipino heart through their respective sports in the international arena.
President Marcos also assured the Filipino athletes that they are not alone in their journey towards achieving their victory as he emphasized that the government is always behind them.
“I am always a little embarrassed when I see that we are not supporting our athletes and our coaches and our trainers and all the support groups, even the families. Alam naman natin, hindi kayo naging champion na nag-iisa. At maraming tumulong para kayo ay maging champion,” President Marcos said.
“Maraming nag-sakripisyo. Iyon na nga iyong ating mga coach, kung sino ‘yong mga nagpapakain sa inyo, mga magulang ninyo. So it seems that what we in government, considering the honor and the pride that you bring to the Philippines, it seems that it is not commensurate for the great service that you do for our country and our people,” he added.
The President also honored the coaches for their unwavering dedication to honing the skills and talents of their athletes.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, a gold medalist who won in SEA Games individual games category will receive Php 300,000; a silver medalist, Php 150,000; and, a bronze medalist, P60,000. On the other hand, Php 150,000 will be given to a gold medalist in the 12th ASEAN Para Games; Php75,000 to a silver medalist; and, Php 30,000 to bronze medalist.
Teams with less than four participants will receive the same cash incentives for individual winners, to be divided equally among the team members present during the competition, while for teams with more than five participants, each member will receive 25 percent of the cash incentives for individual medal winners.
Coaches, on the other hand, will receive the equivalent of 50 percent of the cash incentives awarded to gold, silver, and bronze medalists. In case of more than one coach, the cash incentives shall be divided among the coaches.
Athlete Angel Otom, who was among those who received the incentive, said that she is thankful for the government’s support as she emphasized that all her sacrifices are worth it after being recognized by the President.
“Napaka-overwhelming kasi sa lahat ng mga na-achieve ko, nandidito ako ngayon, at saka mga pinagdaanan ko, dahil ‘yung mga challenges na pinagdaanan ko noon, ay nagresulta naman ng magandang result. At ngayon, nandito po ako para irepresenta ‘yung bansang Pilipinas,” Otom said.
“Ngayon sa sinabi po ni Sir Bongbong Marcos, mas magiging maganda po talaga ‘yung aming mga performance, lalo na sa pagte-training kasi kailangan po talaga ng mga atleta ang sapat na nutrisyon, sapat na training para mas maging malakas kami physically and mentally po,” she added.
Otom said that Filipino athletes should not lose hope and always have their faith in God, their family, in the Philippines, and in all those who believe in them.
