Hidilyn Diaz gets congressional medal, P1.5M from solons

Hidilyn Diaz, who won the Silver in the women’s 53-kg Weightlifting of the Rio Olympics waves as she is applauded by her countrymen shortly upon arrival Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. The Olympic medal was the highest and the first for the Philippines in 20 years.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

FILIPINO Olympian Hidilyn Diaz on Wednesday received a congressional medal of distinction and a P1.5-million incentive from the House of Representatives to commend her for the podium finish in the weightlifting competition of the Rio Olympics.

In his speech commending the Olympic medalist, Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said lawmakers pooled together a “substantial” monetary award for Diaz ” as a sign of our appreciation and recognition of your outstanding performance.”

Diaz is a native of Zamboanga City.

During the session on Wednesday evening, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez conferred the congressional medal of distinction on Diaz, after the House adopted its Resolution No. 9 conferring such a medal to the weightlifter.

He also handed over to Diaz the P1.5-million cash incentive donated by the lawmakers from their salaries.

READ: House to commend, give Filipino Olympian Diaz incentive

Diaz won the silver medal in the women’s 53-kilogram weightlifting competition at the Rio Olympics, making her the first Filipino woman to win an Olympics honor since boxer Onyok Velasco won a silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

READ: Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins silver in Rio

Diaz had also visited the Senate to receive the commendation for her podium finish.

READ: Senate fetes Hidilyn for Olympic silver