A TOTAL of P16 million were handed out to medalists of the 13th ASEAN Para Games on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo, and Sen. Bong Go were among the key officials who handed out the incentives that came from the PSC's National Sports Development Fund.
READ Bemedalled Para chesser Sander Severino dies at 40
The Philippines captured 45 gold, 37 silver, and 52 bronze medals during the ASEAN Para Games held in Thailand from January 20 to 26.
“Always a feel good moment when you do something for our para athletes,” said Gregorio. “They deserve the best. Yung athletes' welfare, lagi silang kasama diyan. Lagi silang nasa isip namin.”
Republic Act 10699 mandates that gold, silver and bronze medalists at the ASEAN Para Games receive P150,000, P75,000, and P30,000 in that order.
Swimmer Angel Otom got the biggest chunk of the incentives, receiving P768,750 for winning five gold medals in the women's 50m backstroke S5, 100m freestyle S5, 100m backstroke S5, and women's 50m freestyle S5, and one silver in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay event.
“Yung incentive, hindi lang po talaga pabuya. Ito ay extra for us,” said Otom. “Yun na din ang naging way ng government natin to support para athletes. Mas nakikita namin na nakikita nila kami. We feel seen.”
Gary Bejino in swimming copped four golds and two silvers to take home P693,750, followed by Darry Bernardo in chess with P600,000 after winning six gold medals in individual and team events.
The late Sander Severino in chess was able to amass P575,000 for the five gold and one silver medals that he snatched during the Para Games that occurred a few months before his untimely passing.
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