ALL national athletes and coaches will receive an additional allowance of P5,000 a month starting in August from the Philippine Sports Commission.
This was revealed by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio on Tuesday during the general assembly called by the government sports agency for the Philippine Olympic Committee, national sports associations, athletes, and coaches at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Gregorio said the additional allowance was approved by the PSC board also on Tuesday.
“Today, I met with the PSC board. Across the board, starting August, [additional] P5,000 per athlete, P5,000 per coach,” said Gregorio.
Prior the increase, the monthly allowance being given to top athletes reaches a high of P50,000. The newly-appointed PSC chairman, however, said the decision was made because some athletes still get allowances that are below minimum wage.
“We realize that so many athletes still get P10,000 per month. Mas mababa po ‘yun sa minimum wage. How can our athletes survive kung mas mababa ‘yung P10,000,” said Gregorio.
The PSC chairman added the government agency has enough funds to cover the increase in the allowance that amounts to about P10 million a month.
“Sinigurado ko po ‘yun,” said Gregorio later in an interview with reporters after the general assembly. “Like what I said, that is P10 million a month. What is P10 million a month for the welfare of our athletes and coaches. A lot of them still receives P10,000 a month, paano ka naman mabubuhay sa P10,000 a month?”
“Mahirap depensahan na maraming atleta sampung libo [tinatanggap]. Eh di distracted sila because they lack that. ‘Yang sinet aside natin na budget na ‘yan, magre-reallocate tayo. But that is a very small amount sa kaligayahan, kumpiyansa, at motivation na ibibigay natin sa mga atleta,” said Gregorio.
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