SENATOR Bong Go has provided a P500,000 financial assistance to each of the Philippine athletes bound for the Paris Olympic Games.
Go handed over the cheques during a turnover ceremony at the Philippine Sports Commission office on Friday.
Personally receiving the financial aid are Philippine flagbearers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam of boxing, Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Ceniza of weightlifting, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas of boxing, and Joanie Delgaco of rowing.
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“In collaboration with the PSC, we pushed na mabigyan ng financial support ang ating mga qualified athletes,” said Go. “Para naman sa akin, alam naman natin na importante sa mga athletes ang karangalan na bitbit nila, win or lose.”
The financial assistance was given a day before a couple of athletes leave for Metz, France where they will hold camp for their final buildup for the Summer Games, thanks to arrangements made by the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“Bigyan natin sila ng suporta mula sa gobyerno even before the competition and even after the competition. Tulungan natin sila at kahit papano, ‘yung pagbibigay ng financial assistance para sa Paris ay isang pagkilala at pagsaludo sa kanilang sakripisyo at dedikasyon,” said Go, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.
The financial assistance is outside the allowances and cash incentives provided by law for Olympic medal winners under Republic Act 10699.
Under the law, an Olympic gold medalist will receive P10 million, silver P5 million, and bronze P2 million.
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