Gawilan says increased incentives will perk up PH Paralympians

Ernie Gawilan

Carlos Yulo’s epic double-gold output at the Paris Olympics will change his life, not only for his place in the country’s sports pantheon, but also in more practical things: The star gymnast is set to benefit from a windfall of bonuses that will make him set for life.

There is a plan in motion for the government to reward the country’s Paralympians richly, too.

“That will definitely motivate us to push ourselves beyond what we are capable of achieving,” Ernie Gawilan, a finalist in the swim meet of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, told the Inquirer in Filipino.

The government rewards national athletes who win Olympic medals based on the standards set by Republic Act No. 10699 are: Gold medalist, P10 million; silver medalist, P5 million; and bronze medalist, P2 million.

Asiad triple gold

National para athletes get half of that.

“I hope we get the same treatment as our able-bodied national athletes,” said Gawilan, who has underdeveloped extremities. “It would help our cause a lot.”

Gawilan, a triple gold medalist in the Asian Para Games, will spearhead the country’s bid in the Paris Paralympics. The delegation includes wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, javelin thrower Cendy Asusano, taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin and archer Agustina Bantiloc. They will be accompanied by their coaches Joel Deriada and Bernard Buen, along with Philippine Paralympic Committee secretary general Goody Custodio.