Duterte hands out cash incentives to SEA Games medalists
Medalists from this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games were honored at Malacañan Palace last Wednesday, September 13, with presidential citations and cash incentives, led by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses with the coaches and officials of the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) Philippine Team, as well as with officers of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Siklab Atleta Pilipinas, during an awarding ceremony in Malacañan Palace on September 13, 2017. Also in the photo are Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose Cojuangco Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, and Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy./PHOTO BY KARL NORMAN ALONZO, PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The Philippines amassed a total of 121 medals during this year’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, including 29 gold medals, to finish sixth in the biennial sporting meet.
AWARDING CEREMONY. Video courtesy of Inquirer.net
Gold medalists received Php 300,000, silver medalists got Php 150,000, and bronze medalists were given Php 60,000. All athletes also received presidential citations for their achievements during the Games.
The medalists of the Philippine delegation to the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) do the signature pose of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte prior to the awarding of presidential citations in Malacañan Palace on September 13, 2017. /PHOTO BY ALBERT ALCAIN, PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Cash incentives for the athletes are based on Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. A total of Php 18,037,500 was given to the athletes while the coaches received a total of Php 7,181,250.
According to the law, team sports with less than five participants per team, the team shall receive the same cash incentives for individual medal winners.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for a photo with the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) women’s marathon gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal as the latter presented her medal to the President during an awarding ceremony in Malacañan Palace on September 13, 2017. Also in the photo are Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose Cojuangco Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez and Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy./PHOTO BY KARL NORMAN ALONZO, PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
For competitions with five or more participants per team, the law said each team member shall receive twenty-five percent (25%) of the cash incentives for individual medal winners.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the presidential citation on the Philippine men’s ice hockey team, who competed in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), during a ceremony in Malacañan Palace on September 13, 2017. The medalists also receive cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Siklab Atleta Pilipinas. Also in the photo are Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy and PSC Chairman William Ramirez./PHOTO BY ROBINSON NIÑAL JR., PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy gave out an additional Php 50,000 for those who took home gold, Php 30,000 for silver medalists, and Php 10,000 for bronze medalists.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the presidential citation on Kiyomi Watanabe, judo gold medalist in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), during a ceremony in Malacañan Palace on September 13, 2017. The medalist also received cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Siklab Atleta Pilipinas. Also in the photo is PSC Chairman William Ramirez./PHOTO BY ROBINSON NIÑAL JR., PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Duterte expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the athletes who represented the country during the SEA Games.
“I congratulate you all, especially our medalists, for the accomplishment that has brought honor to the country. Through hard work and discipline, you have prevailed and made our nation proud,” President Duterte said. He also congratulated Malaysia for successfully hosting the 29th SEA Games, and hopes that it will “continue to foster this spirit of goodwill and sportsmanship.”
With the country hosting the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Duterte directed the Philippine Sports Commission to widen its scope and recruit nationwide, telling them to look for athletes in non-traditional places and to include members of indigenous tribes and out-of-school youth.
“Let us give them a chance to hone their talent and live up to their fullest potentials,” he said. He also assured the athletes that the government and the Filipino people will support them every step of the way.
Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office, Inquirer.net, The Philippine Star
Image source: PCOO
