Aside from the Olympic medalists, all other athletes who competed in Paris 2024 as well as their coaches received cash incentives. Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also asked the athletes what is needed for their improvement.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 medalists will not be the only ones receiving cash incentives, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the rest of the athletes who participated will be getting one million pesos each. Their coaches will also get P500,000.
Marcos made the announcement on Tuesday night, as the Philippine Centennial Team was welcomed home from the Villamor Air Base right to the Malacañan Palace.
"Hihingi ako ng paumanhin ninyo dahil maliit lang at alam ko na ‘yung isang milyong piso halimbawa ay ikumpara mo sa inyong sakripisyo, ikumpara ninyo sa inyong pinagdaanan, ikumpara ninyo, napakaliit lang. Pero ngayon lang ito ‘yung gagawin natin," Marcos Jr. said in a speech during the reception.
He also asked for the athletes' input in what could be done to improve their training.
"They did it on their own, siyempre mayroong tumutulong. Kung minsan ‘yung gobyerno nakakatulong. Pero walang pormal na istraktura para tulungan ‘yung ating mga atleta. And that’s what we are going to establish now," Marcos said.
"So, I ask all of you to tell us, what is it that you need. Saan kayo --- noong sa pag-training ng mga atleta natin, saan kayo nahirapan? Anong hindi ninyo magawa na maitutulong namin? You tell us and hopefully, if we really work together and start to prepare --- for not only the Olympics, of course, that’s a very important one, but not only the Olympics. We start to prepare for all the international competitions that we have --- that are there before us."
Carlos Yulo received 20 million pesos in incentives under Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
This law states an Olympic gold medalist will receive 10 million pesos to be issued by the Philippine Sports Commission. The funds will be taken from net cash income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Yulo is a double Olympic gold medalist, having won the artistic gymnastics floor exercise and vault events.
Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas get two million pesos each, in accordance with the law.
Speaking to his fellow athletes and the rest of Team Philippines, Yulo expressed gratitude with the support they received--including the month-long training in Metz which helped in acclimatization.
"Dugo't pawis 'yung inalay natin. 'Di pa nagsisimula 'yung competition sobrang proud na ako sa inyong lahat," the gymnast said. "Ngayong tapos na 'yung competition i-celebrate natin 'yung mga nakuha nating resulta at mas galingan pa natin sa mga susunod na competition."
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The athletes will be given a heroes' parade around Manila on Wednesday.
(With reports from News5)