WHEN it rains, it pours.
Filipino athletes who medaled in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi, Vietnam will receive cash incentives from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Monday and the government on Tuesday in Malacañang Palace.
“To honor and recognize the athletes, the POC is rewarding them with incentives,” said POC President Abraham Tolentino, who presided over the POC Executive Board meeting on Saturday at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Pasay City.
The PhilCycling Chief will officially announce the release of the cash bonus to the 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medalists at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay on Monday.
The next day, it will be the government’s turn to reward the triumphant Filipino sporting heroes and heroines as based on law, a gold winner will receive P300,000 and P150,000 and P60,000 to the silver and bronze medalists, respectively.
And there is a strong chance President Rodrigo R. Duterte could shell out more rewards as he had done in the past during his six-year term.
Of all the athletes, gymnast Carlos Yulo emerged the biggest winner as he is will take home more or less P1.7 million for pocketing five mints and a pair of silver.
Mr. Tolentino said he hopes the Nationals could sustain, if not improve, when they return to action next year’s Phnom Penh Games.
“We’re hopeful that when the 32nd SEA Games are hosted by Cambodia in May 2023, our athletes will remain in gold medal form,” said the congressman from Tagaytay. — Joey Villar