Arroyo bares new package of incentive

KUALA LUMPUR – The dinner was good, the after-dinner treat was even better.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, putting the country’s athletes in the right mood to shoot for the gold medals, gave each of them an added bonus allowance of $100 each and bared a new incentive package for medal winners during a dinner he tendered for the Philippine delegation on Friday at the Crown Princess Hotel.

Arroyo bared that, through the Kaibigan ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Foundation (KGMA), every athlete will be assured of an added $100 and will earn more if they bring home medals for the country.

He said the KGMA is putting up another P2 million aside from the package already announced by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) earlier for the country’s medal winners.

PSC chair Butch Tuason has been designated to determine how the money will be subdivided among the gold, silver and bronze medalists of the biennial meet from the Philippines.

Tuason later pledged to match the KGMA will be giving to athletes, ensuring them of an added $200 in allowances.

"President Arroyo is giving her all out support to sports and the presence of the members of our family here to cheer for all of you should prove that," the First Gentleman told the athletes and officials during the affair.

With the First Gentleman here are his son Jose Miguel, his brother Ignacio and the President’s brother Art.

Mr. Arroyo also said that the President will make "sports as his No. 2 priority after poverty."

Tuason hailed the pre-SEAG generosity of the First Gentleman, saying it really should provide them with something better and bigger to look forward to.

"This is a very timely move for Mr. Arroyo. The dinner was the first of its kind in years for a Philippine delegation and the First Couple was able to relay their message of support for the delegation," said Tuason.

Rep. Monico Puentevella and Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit also were one in saying that Mr. Arroyo’s support has boosted the morale of the entire delegation.