An expanded athletes incentive law will give the Philippine bets shooting for the overall championship in the Southeast Asian Games later this year more reasons to go for gold.
Under Republic Act No. 10699 authored by Sen. Sonny Angara stipulates Filipinos carrying the national colors in the SEAG to be entitled to a cash bonus of P300,000 for every gold medal won during the Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 Games.
Those who win silver medals stand to pocket P150,000 while bronze medal winners will receive P60,000 each from the government.
Angara’s National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, repeals a previous law that rewarded gold medalists with P100,000, silver medalists with P50,000 and P10,000 for third placers.
“The expanded athletes incentive law will definitely motivate our athletes to work harder in a bid to claim the SEA Games overall title when they play infront of our kababayans (countrymen),” said Angara.
New Clark City will be the hub of the 30th SEAG where the centerpiece athletics and swimming events will be held, while Subic, Metro Manila and Tagaytay City have been penciled as satellite venues for other sports.
A total of 524 gold medals from 56 sports will be up for grabs in the Games.
The Philippines captured the overall championship of the SEAG for the first time during its 2005 Manila hosting.
“We should properly recognize the triumphs of our outstanding athletes,” said Angara.