Senate bill seeks P5M increase in cash reward for Paralympic gold medalists

MANILA, Philippines -- A bill looking to give higher benefits for para-athletes competing internationally has been filed in the Senate.

Senate Bill no. 2116, which aims to amend the Republic Act no. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, is currently pending in the Senate committee on sports.

Under the current law, those who win gold medals in the Paralympic Games will receive P5 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor issued by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Under the proposed measure, Paralympic gold medalists will receive the P10 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor, the same as those who win gold in the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Those who win in the Asian Para Games will also receive P2 million, the same as those who win the gold medal for Asian Games, Asian Winter Games and Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Currently, Asian Para Games gold medalists receive P1 million.

ASEAN Para Games winners will also pocket P300,000, compared to the P150,000 currently being given.

Rewards for silver and bronze medalists among paralympic games will also be at par with the other rewards given to athletes playing internationally.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Bong Go back in May, and after it was read on first reading and referred to the Senate sports committee, there have been joint committee meetings and hearings since August.

Go put this on the spotlight anew during the send-off of athletes competing in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and the 4th Asian Para Games.

“The bill carries the potential to bring about positive change in the lives of our athletes, particularly our para-athletes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo said they are eyeing to match or have a better performance in this year’s Para Games compared to their performance in 2018.

The Philippines, back in 2018, finished 11th out of 33 countries after tallying 10 gold medals, eight silver medals and 11 bronze medals.

The Para Games will run from October 22-28.