'Tatang' family to receive P.4 million from PSC

MANILA, Philippines - The family of Francisco “Tatang” de Vega, the late father-coach of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado, stands to receive P467,500 from the Philippine Sports Commission.

De Vega is largely credited for his daughter’s rise to international stardom. He died last Sunday due to a lingering illness. He was 84.

His death came at a time the PSC is processing the incentives of coaches and trainers of past achievers under Republic Act 9064 or the National Athletes Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

According to the PSC, “Tatang” was entitled to P250,000 for serving as Lydia’s coach in her 100-meter victory in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

His family will also get bonuses of P125,000 and P62,500 for sharing coaching chores with Claro Pellosis when Lydia retained her century dash title and took the silver in the 200-m event four years later in the Seoul Asiad.

On top of this, the De Vega family will be given a lump sum of P30,000 as death benefit for national athletes, coaches and trainers provided for by Section 7 of the incentives and benefits law.

PSC chairman Ricardo Garcia said the papers of De Vega are already with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. for processing, along with those of other mentors of past medalists in various sports.