GMA set to sign bill on incentives

President Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to sign into law shortly a bill granting big cash incentives to Filipino athletes who excel in the Olympic Games and other major international sports competitions.

Cebu City Rep. Eduardo Gullas expressed confidence the measure would encourage athletes to further improve their performance in international competitions.

"We are also optimistic the measure will encourage young people to indulge in sports and eventually bring honor and glory to the country," Gullas added.

The measure provides that Olympic gold medalists in individual events shall get cash awards of P5 million; silver medalists, P2.5 million; and bronze medalists, P1 million.

Gold medalists in the Asian Games shall get cash bonuses of P1 million; silver medalists, P500,000; and bronze medalists, P100,000.

In the Southeast Asian Games, gold medalists shall cash gifts of P100,000; silver medalists, P50,000; and bronze medalists, P10,000.

In team events, the team shall get the same cash awards as for individual medal winners, to be divided equally among team members.