POC: Housing, pension for retired athletes

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. wants the housing program and pension plan for retired athletes to be in place before his term ends in 2016.

Cojuangco said several members of the House are behind his plan to improve the livelihood of retired and active national athletes who brought glory to the country.

“I’m pushing for the pension and housing of the athletes. It’s my No. 1 dream,” said Cojuangco, whose third consecutive term will expire after the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.

Northern Samar Rep. Harlin Abayon has filed House Bill 1962  with the Committee on Youth and Sports Development in August last year.  It will amend Republic Act 9064  otherwise known as the Sports Incentive Act.

Cojuangco said the Committee on Youth and Sports Development chaired by Davao del Norte Rep. Anthony Del Rosario is  also enthusiastic about passing more laws for the benefit of the national athletes.

“Retired athletes who are jobless and   have no house to call their own should benefit from the measures our congressmen are planning to file,” said Cojuangco.

There’s also another bill (HB2808) that seeks to expand the coverage of incentives extended to national athletes from the Sports Incentive Act of 2001, he added.

The Sports Incentive Act covers retirement, scholarship, medical and death benefits, among others.

At present, the law provides cash rewards for medalists in the Olympics, World Championship, Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.

An Olympic gold is worth P5 million, the World Championship P2.5 million, the Asian Games P1 million and the SEA Games P100,000.