PSC submitting list of Asiad medalists

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will invite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to personally award incentives to Filipino medalists at the 20th Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the agency will submit the list of medalists to the President and invite him to lead the incentive distribution.

The Philippines won four gold, nine silver and 16 bronze medals at the Asian Games, while the national para-athletes collected two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

“We will submit the information, covering the gold, silver and bronze medalists, to President Marcos. I want the President to see the performances of our athletes in both the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games,” Gregorio said.

“We will invite him to award the incentives to our medalists.”

Marcos could also grant additional bonuses to athletes who made their mark in the recent competitions, following his gesture at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

The President previously awarded additional incentives of P300,000 to gold medalists, P150,000 to silver medalists and P60,000 to bronze medalists, on top of the incentives provided under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Gregorio said any additional bonuses would be at the President’s discretion.

“It is the discretion of the President, just like what he did in the Southeast Asian Games. Whatever incentives the PSC gave back then, he doubled it,” Gregorio said.

“That is really a great way to support our athletes.”