PH HANOI MEDALISTS TO GET EXTRA CASH INCENTIVES

Medal performers in the just-concluded 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, could earn more apart from the usual cash bonuses from the government through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the Team Philippines chef de mission in the Games, has given Sen. Bong Go, the chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, the complete lineup of Filipinos who brought home medals which will supposedly be forwarded to President Duterte.

The Philippines wound up fourth overall among 11 countries with 51 gold, 71 silver and 106 bronze medals. Host Vietnam ran away with the overall title with a haul of 206-126-114, followed by Thailand (93-100Two 136) and Indonesia (69-91-80).

“President Duterte handed out additional cash bonuses to the athletes in the previous SEA Games. The President might surprise them again,’’ said Fernandez, who stayed behind to represent the Philippine delegation on Monday for the closing rites of the Games.

Duterte normally gives out extra cash gifts to medal-winning athletes from the SEA Games, Asian Games and the Olympics when they pay a courtesy call at Malacañang, this is apart from what has been provided for by the law.

Under Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, an athlete who captures an individual gold medal in the SEA Games will be rewarded P300,000, a silver medalist will earn P150,000 and a bronze medal is worth P60,000.