P35M pre-departure cash incentives for Pinoy Olympic qualifiers

Special perks for a special bunch of athletes.

For Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and several sports-minded lawmakers, Olympics-bound athletes deserve the best and are entitled to receive incentives even before going to Paris.

“They deserved to receive all the support they needed particularly the incentives. Napakahirap mag-qualify sa Olympics. Kaya we’re thankful sa lahat ng sumusuporta para mataas pa natin ang kanilang mga morale,” said Bachmann.

Bachman was joined by PSC Commissioner Walter ‘Wawit’ Torres at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum Tuesday where he announced the good news for the Olympians.

“Around 33 millions ang incentives na paghahatian ng ating mga Olympians. Twenty-three million is only from Senator Risa Hontiveros then Senator Bong Go has a figure already. There’s also additiona from other Senators direct to the athletes na ipinasa lang sa PSC and I just signed a check para maibigay na sa kanila,” added Bachmann.

Aside from this, the PSC is targeting a P2 million additional budget as proceeds from the scheduled PSC-POC-NSA fund-raising invitational golf tournament on June 14 at the Canlubang Golf Club.

Bachmann said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and the 24/7 sports app in the country ArenaPlus that the amount will be distributed before the Paris Games set from July 26 to Aug. 9.

So far, 15 Filipino athletes have qualified for the Games, but Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino expects around four more to join the campaign for the Philippines.

In the 2021 Tokyo Games, the Philippines brought home a gold medal, its first in the Olympics, courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and two silvers and a bronze through boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial.

“We have until June 30 to see sino pa ang mag-qualify,” added Bachmann.

The PSC allotted P52 million for the Paris Olympics, including the preparations, training, and actual participation. Also, some expenditures are airfare, luggage, and parade uniforms.

“We’ve already spent P43 million, so I have 8 to 9 million left. Kung kukulangin I will look for fund,” said Bachmann.

Those who have booked tickets to the Paris Games are pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Ruivivar; boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Marcial and Paalam, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, and fencer Sam Catantan.

During the forum, Bachmann also bared the PSC plans for the rest of the year, including the ground-breaking for a seven-story athletes dormitory to be put up inside the RMSC.

The project should begin with demolishing the old boxing and pencak silat building in July and then the ground-breaking in August It may take at least two years to finish.