It was a golden Wednesday at the Malacañang Palace as the medalists from the recently-concluded 2018 Asian Games were gathered inside the Palace’s halls to receive their incentives.
Besides the PHP 2M gift from the Philippine Olympic Committeee, the PHP 1M grant from Siklab Foundation’s Dennis Uy, the additional PHP 1M prize from Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee, and the PHP 2M from the pot granted by Republic Act 10699, President Rodrigo Duterte added an additional PHP 2M incentive to the gold medal winners. This brings the total windfall for Asiad champions to a whopping PHP 8M for gold medalists Hidilyn Diaz, Yuka Saso, the Women’s Golf Team, and Margie Didal.
The additional incentives will be distributed by the Philippine Sports Commission, headed by president Ricky Vargas.
On the other hand, the country’s two silver medalists will each receive PHP 1M each, while the 15 third-placers will be given PHP 400k.
But on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Didal became the ray of sunlight that delighted everyone in attendance.
The 19-year-old Cebuana made true to her promise to make Duterte do the “dab”.
The strong man gladly did so after being talked into it by the young skater.
Truly, it was a golden day in the office for the president.
