Duterte to provide additional incentives to Filipino medalists in SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to provide additional incentives to Filipino athletes who would emerge victorious in the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on top of the incentives provided by law.

But while the President has not mentioned the amount for the SEA Games medalists, Duterte’s former aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go noted that the chief executive would make good on his plan as he has done it before.

The senator even said that Duterte is also considering giving the Order of Lapu-Lapu to winning athletes.

“I cannot speak on behalf of the President, pero nabanggit niya sa akin na bibigyan niya ng Lapu-Lapu award ang mga mananalo (But he also mentioned that he will confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu to the winning Filipino athletes),” Go told reporters in the Senate on Wednesday.

Under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act, SEA Games gold medalists will be given P300,000, silver gets you P150,000, while bronze medal winners are entitled to P60,000.

The Philippines will be hosting the 30th edition of the regional meet from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11

Duterte is expected to grace the opening ceremony on Saturday evening at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.