Duterte fetes Asiad medalists, vows additional incentives

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Wednesday honored the Filipino athletes who won medals during the 2018 Asian Games and assured them of the government's continuous support. 

Duterte said the Philippines' journey in the Asian games has fostered unity among players who are drawn together by the "collective aspiration" to represent the best of the Filipinos' resilience, competence and determination.

"I congratulate our athletes and their coaches for their efforts in bringing honor and recognition to the Philippines in the field of sports. We Filipinos have always been known for our competitive spirit, and this year we did not fall short of showing our trait to our neighbors," the President said during the awarding of incentives for the 18th Asian Games medalists. 

"Let me assure our athletes that you have my continued support in developing yourselves as you pursue your respective discipline," he added. 

Duterte also commended the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for supporting the athletes and for enabling them to perform well during the games. 

"I have already directed the PSC to provide additional incentives, to be sourced from its funds, to the winning individuals of the 18th Asian Games," the President said. 

"It is my hope that this will not only further motivate our athletes to work harder, but also find resourcefulness, ways to maximize their potentials and inspire the rest of the youth to be part of an active and healthy citizenry," he added. 

The National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act states that Asian Games gold medalists will be given P2 million each while silver medalists will receive P1 million. Those who bagged bronze medals will be given P400,000 each. For competitions with less than five participants per team, the team shall receive the same cash incentives for individual medal winners to be divided equally among members present during the competition. 

The Philippines won a total of 21 medals — four golds, two silvers, and 15 bronze medals and ranked 19th during the 45-country athletic event.

The atheletes who won gold during the Asian Games are Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Yuka Saso (golf), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Lois Kaye Go (gold), and Margielyn Didal (skateboarding). Those who bagged silver medals are Rogen Ladon (boxing) and Kiyomi Watanabe (judo) while the bronze medalists are Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Eumir Marcial (boxing), Carlo Paalam (boxing), Junna Tsukii (karate), Cherry May Regalado (pencak silat), Almohaidib Abad (pencak silat), Jefferson Loon (pencak silat), Dines Dumaan (pencak silat), Daniel Caluag (cycling), Meggie Ochoa (jujitsu), Pauline Lopez (taekwondo), Divine Wally (wushu), Agatha Wong (wushu), Juvenile Faye (taekwondo), Rinna Babanto (taekwondo), Janna Oliva (taekwondo), DUstin Jacob Mella (taekwondo), Jordan Dominguez (taekwondo) and Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. (taekwondo).