Golfer Yuka Saso will receive the highest incentive of more than P9 million for her gold medal winnings in the recent 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
This was made possible after President Rodrigo Duterte instructed the Philippine Sports Commission to give additional bonuses to the medallists of the Asiad.
“Through the office of Mr. Bong Go, the President said that he will give an additional amount, like P1-million to the gold medallists,” said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a press conference yesterday.
Saso is already guaranteed P4 million for winning the gold in the women’s individual play and as part of the three-member woman that also claimed the team gold.
Her incentive includes the P2 million each that will come from the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the P1 million from the Siklab Sports Foundation under Dennis Uy and another P1 million from Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Cesar Lee Hiong Tan Wee.
Next with the highest incentives are Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and skateboarder Margie Didal, who will get P7 million each.
Saso’s teammates, Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go, are set to get more than P2 million each.
Duterte’s instructions were to give an additional P1 million each to the gold medalists, P500,000 more to silver and an added P200,000 to bronze winners.
Go, who is Mr. Duterte’s special assistant, informed Ramirez of the added incentives when he was among the top officials who greeted Diaz, Saso and the lady golfers when they arrived last week at the Naia Terminal 2.
All the incentives that were promised will be given by President Duterte when he hosts the national Asiad delegation at Malacanang on Sept. 12.
The Philippines won a total of four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes in the Asiad.
Ramirez said he also asked Executive Director (Merly Ibay) to fast track the certification of coaches who helped the medallists so they can also get their incentives.
Ramirez talked about the additional cash bonanzas, with Commissioners Charles Maxey, Celia Kiram, and Arnold Agustin during a gathering with with Philippine Collegiate Champions League Chairman Rey Gamboa.
Gamboa announced a partnership with the PSC on the staging of the PCCL-President’s Cup, which will take place after UAAP and NCAA cagefests are finished.”‹