Duterte doubles cash incentives to Pinoy athletes

President Duterte doubled the incentives received by Filipino athletes who won medals at the Vietnam Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to express his gratitude for their efforts.

“President Duterte was very pleased by the performance of our athletes in the last Vietnam SEA Games and doubling their incentives is his way of recognizing and showing his appreciation for their efforts,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The President’s generous goodwill gesture meant that he matched the P34,537,500 cash incentives that all of the medalists will receive under Republic Act 10699.

Under the law, an individual gold medal is worth P300,000, a silver is worth P150,000, and the bronze, P60,000.

The Filipino campaigners returned home with 52 golds, 70 silvers and 105 bronzes, finishing fourth overall in the medal standings.

Gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, who was due to receive P1.6 million from the five golds and two silvers he won, received P3.2 million.

Dancesport partners Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla, who bagged three golds, received P1.8 million each. Kim Mangrobang, who swept the women’s triathlon and duathlon events, and billiards star Rubilen Amit, who ruled the women’s 9-ball and 10-ball competitions, got P600,000 each for their respective golden doubles.

Besides bonuses, the President also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi to some of the medalist, including billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, who took the bronze medal in the men’s 1-cushion carom singles. The Kamagi Medal is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who actively participated in and contributed to a campaign or advocacy of the President.