PSC raises national bets allowance

Filipino athletes will now have more money to keep or spend when they’re overseas.

The Philippine Sports Commission has approved a new policy that would benefit RP athletes who for so many years now have traveled and tried to make the most out of a $30-a-day allowance.

Commissioner Ritchie Garcia of the PSC said the amount is no longer enough considering the high cost of living especially in rich countries where Filipino athletes normally compete.

"Contrary to reports that we are scrapping the allowance, we have always discussed on how we can increase it. Since the early ’90s, our athletes have been receiving $30 a day," he said.

Pinoy athletes competing in countries offering free meals, board and lodging will get $30 a day.

Otherwise, they will receive $60 a day, excluding a $50 daily allowance for hotel accommodation.

The new policy was approved during a board meeting presided over by chairman Butch Ramirez the other day.

"They can do whatever with this money. They can spend it or keep it. It doesn’t mean that because the food and your hotel are free, you won’t need any money.

This is some kind of supplement," Garcia said.

But this will not apply to athletes competing in major international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games or the Olympics because each Filipino athlete here gets $300.

"Like in the coming Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, they will all get $300 each, even if they will only compete for two or three days. This was what we did in last year’s SEA Games which we hosted," Garcia added.

Garcia, however, clarified that despite the new policy, not all requests for funding for international competitions will be approved. This, he said, still depends on the availability of budget.

Garcia said the first athletes who are expected to benefit from the new policy are those from bowling, softball, swimming, boxing, canoeing and triathlon.