Bill seeking more benefits for athletes, coaches passes 2nd reading

Filipino athletes will soon reap the financial benefits of their medal efforts even in non-major international competitions.

An act expanding the coverage of cash incentives for athletes and coaches was passed by the Senate on its second reading Tuesday with Senator Sonny Angara as main proponent.

Senate Bill No. 2898 has proposed to include tournaments outside of the Olympics, quadrennial world championships, Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games in the government’s bonus scheme.

Angara said national athletes who compete in the Youth Olympic Games, Asian Winter Games, Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games would get the same set of financial package once the bill, known as the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act, has been enacted into law.

Also included are the Paralympic Games, Asian and Asean Para Games.

Based on the proposed bill, an Olympic gold medal for the Summer and Winter Games will increase to P10 million from P5 million while individual gold medalists in the YOG and Paralympics stand to receive P5 million.

Top performers in the Asian Games and Asian Winter Games will earn P2 million and P1 million as well as for Filipino champions in the Asian Para Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and world-level competitions held every two years.

Asian Beach Games gold winners will line their pockets with P500,000 along with winners in Asian-level competitions held every two years, while SEA Games gold medalist will get P300,000 from P100,000.

The proposed bill, prepared by the Senate Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports, is designed to repeal Republic Act 9064 or the Sports Incentives Act of 2001.

It has a counterpart in the House of Representatives authored by Davao del Norte representative Anthony Del Rosario.