Cebu City athletes get cash incentives

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government has extended a total of P1.5 million in cash incentives to all the athletes who represented the city in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2024.

At least 40 athletes were given the cash incentives during the regular flag raising ceremony at the City Hall grounds yesterday.

Those who won gold medals for the city received P50,000 each; P15,00 for silver medalists; and P10,000 for each bronze medalist. For team sports like soccer and basketball, winners will get a bigger amount compared to the individual games.

Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he and acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros agreed to give a considerable amount for team sports.

"Ang team sports man gud, even if 20 mo kabuok gaduwa, usa ra gyud na ka gold, so you're supposed to be entitled with only P20,000. Pero it's a team effort man so that's why we spread it," said Garcia.

He, however, said that as for the dance sports with different categories, athletes were individually given incentives based on the medal they were able to get.

According to Garcia, the cash incentives will be charged against the appropriations of the Cebu City Sports Commission. The acting mayor said the commission will also get an increase in its annual budget for 2025.

"It is just to show that the city government is very supportive of our athletes and is very supportive of our sports programs because makita man gud nato nga kaya man gud nato," said Garcia.

He added that support from the government is vital to accomplish the success of each athlete. Currently, there are also two Cebuano Olympians who will be competing in Paris for weightlifting representing the country.

The Cebu City Government is hosting an appreciation dinner on July 31, 2024, for the Palarong Pambansa committees and athletes who represented the city and Central Visayas during the Palaro. They will be recognized and honored with a plaque of appreciation. — (FREEMAN)