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    Allowance of national athletes cut by half as PSC fund dwindles

    Bad news for national athletes
    May 29, 2020
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

    THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced on Friday that the allowances of national athletes will be cut by half, saying its funds have been 'diminished' amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis.

    The cuts will be reflected in allowances for June (to be remitted by July), the government's sports agency said.

    “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 William 'Butch' Ramirez, adding the decision was reached in a board meeting on Wednesday.

    The PSC explained the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), from which the athletes' allowances are drawn, has "considerably diminished." The agency's funding is drawn from its share in the revenue of the Philippine Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

    Ramirez said the cuts were necesary in order to "sustain the granting of allowances until December." He assured allowances will be restored to the old rate once the NSDF returns to a "comfortable level."

    To cut on costs, the agency previously discontinued contracts of sports coordinators, consultants, and JO staff last month.

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      The PSC also announced that the 20 percent discount for athletes and coaches guaranteed by a provision in RA 10699, will finally be implemented after BIR issued Revenue Regulation 13-2020 on Wednesday.

      Discounts shall be applied to food, medicine, recreation centers, hotels, and lodging establishments and sports equipment purchases.

      National athletes and coaches will soon be issued IDs and booklets, much like those issued to senior citizens.

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      PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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