Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada sought to give equal cash incentives for national athletes with and without disabilities.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act,” athletes who participated in the recent Paris Olympics and won gold, silver, and bronze medals will receive cash incentives of P10 million, P5 million, and P2 million, respectively.
In contrast, Paralympians who secure first, second, or third place on the world stage are entitled to only half of the cash incentives given to their Olympic counterparts.
The senator has proposed Senate Bill No. 1442 that promotes equality and inclusivity in the discipline, as it recognizes “their common achievements in prestigious competitions and the inspiration they bring to the Filipino people,” the Senate leader said.
By introducing amendments to the provisions of RA 10699, Estrada’s SB 1442 seeks to remedy the discrepancy of financial benefits among national athletes who demonstrate the same level of commitment, hard work, and excellence in sports.
Estrada also recommended the grant of P2 million to gold medalists in the Asian Para Games and increased the current P150,000 incentive to P300,000 for those who will bag gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games.
He likewise sought to have the cash incentives for silver and bronze medalists in the Asian Para Games and ASEAN Para Games doubled from the current amount.
“In the eyes of the law, everybody should be equal,” he said.
“Our laws should treat everyone equally especially if we’re striving for the promotion of sports excellence.”
