Due to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Philippine Sports Commission regretfully made the tough decision to slice the salaries of national team athletes and coaches.
“This is a hard decision to make, but one that needed to be done so we can continue caring for our athletes longer,” said PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, during a board meeting held last Friday.
Starting June 1, all athletes and coaches will receive a 50-percent pay cut, as the National Sports Development Fund has been cut due to the pandemic.
According to the PSC, this was a necessary step to sustain the country’s sporting programs until December 2020.
Ramirez assured though that once the NSDF reaches a comfortable level again, allowances will be restored to the present rate.
On the other hand, national team athletes and coaches will be given 20-percent discounts to food, medicine, recreation centers, hotels, and lodging establishments and sports equipment purchases starting next month.
The PSC has also made the decision to postpone all of its events for the rest of the year.
