Manila, Philippines, August 25, 2021: President Rodrigo Duterte led the awarding of incentives to Philippine Olympians in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and other Filipino athletes at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace on August 23, 2021.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial received their incentives via Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, and were bestowed special awards.
Likewise, President Duterte gave a special award to Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco, Jr., silver medalist for boxing in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Also present to receive their awards were Olympic shooter Jayson Valdez and weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando.
"I congratulate you once again for bringing pride and honor to the country, and for uplifting the spirit of Filipinos amidst the COVID-19 pandemic," President Duterte told the Olympians.
Weightlifter Diaz, the Philippines' first gold medallist, received the Presidential Medal of Merit, P15 million (300,000 USD) from the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), a housing unit, and P3 million (60,000 USD) from the Office of the President.
Boxers Paalam and Petecio each received P5 million (100,000 USD) from the PSC, housing unit from National Housing Authority and P2 million (40,000 USD) from the Office of the President.
Bronze medalist Marcial received P2 million (40,000 USD) from the PSC, a housing unit, and P1 million (20,000 USD) from Duterte's office.
The other athletes who represented the Philippines at Tokyo 2020 will receive P200,000 (4,000 USD), Malacañang said.
Duterte said he was confident that the athletes "will get better and stronger in securing more victories in the future."
"Your success will continue to motivate many aspiring athletes and our Filipino youth to channel their energies into sports and other productive activities, keeping them away from the harmful vices," the President said.
The Philippines’ first Olympic silver medalist, boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, also received a P500,000 (10,000 USD) incentive from the Office of the President during the event.
Velasco recently revealed that he had yet to receive the P2.5 million (50,000 USD) cash incentive some lawmakers pledged when he bagged the silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.