Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
President Marcos urged the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) and various sports stakeholders to keep breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity.
“I call on the PSC, as well as every sports association and community in the country to continue breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, building a nation where sports serve as an inclusive and unifying force,” President Marcos said.
The President expressed this call during an award ceremony at Malacañang, where Para athletes who excelled in China last year were honored.
Addressing the PSC, sports associations, and communities nationwide, President Marcos emphasized the need to challenge stereotypes and foster inclusivity through sports.
He urged them to contribute to the creation of a new Philippines, or “Bagong Pilipinas,” characterized by industry, integrity, teamwork, and a commitment to greatness and excellence.
“A good sports program goes beyond trophy collecting. It should harness our collective strengths to realize the common good,” President Marcos said.
“So, we must train. We must fund and nurture our national sporting elite that is able to compete with the world’s best, so they can bring us pride and glory and inspiration,” he added.
In congratulating the Para athletes, President Marcos conveyed that the incentives presented to them symbolize the nation’s love and admiration for their sacrifices.
“As we hand these to you, remember that these are not merely monetary tokens. They are symbols of the love of your countrymen and their admiration for all the sacrifices that you have made for your country,” Mr. Marcos told them.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, monetary benefits are granted to national athletes who excel in international competitions. The athletes from the 4th Asian Para Games will receive P1 million for a gold medal, P500,000 for silver, and P200,000 for bronze in individual events.
Teams with fewer than five participants per team will equally share the cash incentives for individual medal winners.
Coaches will receive half of the athlete’s cash incentive. In total, the PSC will provide P19.5-million. In addition to the incentives mandated by RA 10699, President Marcos awarded P13.45-million in monetary awards to the para-athletes.
Their impressive performance, bringing home 19 medals, elevated the Philippines to the 9th position among 44 highly competitive participating countries in the 4th Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, last October. — Charles Dantes
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