Lim hands bonuses to Palaro medalists

MANILA, Philippines - Mayor Alfredo Lim Wednesday gave cash awards to outstanding student athletes from public and private schools in Manila who won during the Palarong Pambansa held in Tacloban, Leyte from April 27 to May 3.

Lauding the champions for showing excellence and discipline and for bringing honor to the city, Lim awarded P5,000 each to gold medalists, P3,500 to silver medalists and P2,000 for bronze winners in a special program at Bulwagang Villegas, City Hall.

Lim also gave P6,000 cash award to coaches of gold medalists and P4,500 to mentors of second and third placers in the Palaro competitions.

The cash incentives amounted to P534,650.

Dr. Ponciano Menguito, newly appointed Schools Division Superintendent of Manila, said Manila athletes’ exploits boosted the National Capital Region’s bid in winning the Palaro overall championship.

“Manila bagged 59 golds, 26 silvers, 23 bronzes, 11 fourth places, nine fifth places and three sixth places to register the highest medal count among all schools divisions in the country,” Menguito said.

Nicolle Ariella Orella of A.C. Herrera Elementary School in Tondo and Rizza Desiree Garcia of Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo each received a total of P26,500 for winning six golds in gymnastics.