2018 Asian Para Games three-time gold medalist Ernie Gawilan and 17 other medalists are set to be the first recipients of cash incentives by virtue of R.A. 10699 (National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001) in November at the Malacañang Palace.
Philippine Sports Commission Commissioners Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram, and Charles Maxey announced this yesterday during the small thanksgiving celebration and press briefing for the medalists.
Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo, Chef de Mission Kiko Diaz and Deputy Chef de Mission Dennis Esta led the Para Games winning delegation in the gathering on Thursday.
“Our medalists will be the first recipients of the act, in the Asian Para Games level. We express our sincerest gratitude to the government and the PSC for its intensive support for our para-athletes,” said Barredo.
Agustin, the oversight commissioner for para-athletes, congratulated the delegation and said, “their success has inspired many Filipinos to do and reach their best.”
In Section 8 of the said law, sponsored by Sen. Sonny Angara, gold medalists will receive one million pesos (PHP 1,000,000.00), silver medalists five hundred thousand pesos (PHP 500,000.00), and bronze medalists two hundred thousand pesos (PHP 200,000.00) for the Asian Para Games.
Also mandated in the said Republic Act is the special incentive for setting or breaking a record, as in the case of para-athlete swimmer and decorated Filipino athlete Erwin Gawlian, after he established a new Asian Para Games swimming record in the Men’s 400m freestyle finals twice (4:56 & 4:51).
“More than the amount of incentives, it is the deeper inclusion of our para-athletes in the Philippine sports landscape that we are all thankful for. They are now recognized as a true national athlete and are afforded proper training and exposure,” added former PSC Commissioner Barredo.
Team Pilipinas surpassed its 2014 Incheon Asian Para Games medal haul of five silver and five bronze medals, and won a historic 10 gold, 8 silver and 11 bronze medals, finishing 11th out of 43 countries.
