MANILA, Philippines - Private firms for the first time are providing cash and other incentives amounting to P2 million to winners of this year’s Palarong Pambansa, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.
The financial reward will be given on top of the usual medals and trophies awarded to winning athletes, DepEd said.
“This is another facet of public-private partnership wherein we don’t just build classrooms for them, we also help build their character through sports development,†Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.
The 2013 Palarong Pambansa will be held at the Governor Mariano Perdices Sports Complex in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental from April 21 to 27.
Over 10,000 elementary and secondary school students from public and private schools nationwide are expected to participate in the annual sporting event.
Donors from the private sector include Nestle – Milo, Smart, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Philippine Airlines, Aboitiz Foundation, Ang-Hortaleza Foundation, Johnson & Johnson Philippines, San Miguel Foundation and Ayala Foundation.

To date, DepEd said it has already received pledges in cash and in kind from the private sector amounting to over P2 million to be given as incentive to top performing athletes.
There are also offers of scholarship for athletes who will stand out in selected games during the Palaro, DepEd said.

Luistro said giving incentives to the athletes will encourage them to push extra hard to achieve their goals.
“Reward comes to those who work for it,†he said.