President Rodrigo Duterte and skating double gold medalist Margielyn Didal ham it up for photographers. (Yummie Dingding)

President Rodrigo Duterte promised full support for Filipino athletes following their successful campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

In a speech during the recognition of the SEA Games medalists in Malacañang Wednesday, the President said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) pledged P100 million for the training of athletes who will participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Chief Executive said he will talk to lawmakers to give athletes additional benefits, particularly the grant of allowances while training.

“So I have another 100 million para… But ‘yan lang, I’m very strict about money and I am very strict about money and kailangan talaga must be accounted up to the last centavo,” said Duterte of Pagcor’s commitment.

“Wala akong ibigay ‘yang pera. Hindi man atin ‘yan eh. Hindi akin ‘yan. So ibigay ko ‘yan. And for the good and the interest of our country.”

The President said he is proud of the Filipino athletes, praising them for reigning over their neighbors in Southeast Asia.

“The blood, sweat and tears that you have shed to earn this prestigious recognition is truly inspiring,” he noted.

“I thus take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who played an integral part in its success. This outcome serves as a testament to the great things we can achieve when we work together.”

Some of the SEA Games medalists with President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go in Malacanang on Wednesday night. (Yummie Dingding)

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also witnessed the event and helped hand out the additional cash incentives, aside from those granted under the Philippine Sports Commission Act (Republic Act 10699) and by the Philippine Olympic Committee bonus scheme.

The President added P250,000 for a gold medal, P150,000 for a silver and P100,000 for a bronze. Team Philippines harvested a total of 387 medals in the regional biennial meet—149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals.

The medalists also received the Order of Lapu-Lapu medal, with the rank of Kamagi, awarded to private individuals who “actively participated in and contributed significantly to an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.:

The President is hopeful that the milestone lights the torch for the nation’s renaissance in athletic glory encouraging everyone to continue supporting Filipino athletes who embody excellence, superiority and teamwork.

Almost P79-milion cash incentives were given to SEA Games medalists. RA 10699 grants a SEA Games gold medalist P300,000, silver 150,000 and bronze P60,000.

“Our being the overall champion is convincing proof that as long as we work as one, we will win as one,” said Go. “Sa simula pa lang ng SEA Games, nanawagan na ako sa lahat na magkaisa tayo, magkaisa ang buong bansa bilang suporta sa ating mga manlalaro. Kapag may bayanihan, may pagkakaisa, may pagtutulungan, magiging maganda ang resulta.”

Go also commended the parents and families of the athletes and coaches who continuously supported the delegation throughout the Games. He also recognized the support of the Filipino nation for the successful hosting.

“Binibigyan ko din ng pagpupugay ang mga magulang at pamilyang sumuporta sa kanilang mga anak at kamag-anak sa palarong ito. Kinikilala ko ang kontribusyon ng bawat pamayanang naging bahagi ng tagumpay natin. Malaki ang paghanga ko sa bawat mamamayang Pilipinong patuloy na nagbibigay inspirasyon sa ating kabataan,” said Go.

President Duterte was also assisted by Executive Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Olympic Committee president and Cavite Rep. Bambol Tolentino and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chair and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.