Garcia wants early release of incentives

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission is moving heaven and earth to get the cash incentives for medalists in the Myanmar SEA Games released before Christmas.

“We want the athletes to have a happy Christmas by getting their incentives early,” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia in a media briefing yesterday.

The Philippines is running seventh in Myanmar with 23 gold, 27 silver and 32 bronze medals with still two days of action left.

And while seventh place is really no reason to celebrate, Garcia said the Filipino athletes, for trying so hard and giving their best, deserve a pat in the back.

Garcia said based on yesterday’s medal tally, the PSC will be giving away P6.1 million in cash incentives – P100,000 for every gold, P50,000 for silver and P10,000 for bronze.

Coaches get cash incentives equivalent to 50 percent of the athletes’ incentives but may vary based on individual and team events.

Garcia said they wanted the incentives to be released by Monday or when most if not all of the athletes have returned from Myanmar.

The money will come from the government-owned Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation or Pagcor.

But Garcia said they were informed that Pagcor may not be able to release the funds because it was not tackled during last Wednesday’s board meeting.

Garcia said the next Pagcor board meeting will be in January.

The Commission on Audit has also informed the PSC that because of certain guidelines, they may have to wait for January.

The PSC said they will ask the help of Malacañang through Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa to expedite the release of the funds from Pagcor.

“I’d like to get in touch from Secretary Ochoa and get the clearance. I’m sure there are exceptions,” said Garcia.