Special athletes receive Pl.5M bonus from PSC

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday handed over P1.5 million as cash incentives to differently-abled athletes who won medals in last month’s Southeast Asian ParaGames in Myanmar.

PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez and Phl Sports Association for the Differently Abled president Mike Barredo gave out the incentives to the athletes in simple rites at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“It’s the government’s reward for our athletes for making the country proud,” said Gomez.

Thrower Marites Burce were among the first ParaGames medalists who received their cash rewards amounting to P50,000 for her two gold medals in javelin and shot put.

Prudencia Panaligan got P35,000 for the gold she snared in the 100-meter dash and a bronze in the 200m dash.

A gold is equivalent to P25,000, silver P15,000 and bronze P10,000.

Chess produced a total of six gold medals and silver and bronze medals with Henry Lopez and Sander Severino each winning three gold medals, two individual and one team event. Partially blind Menandro Redor also captured two gold medals.

“Next to athletics, we’re the second best performer with six golds,” said chess team coach International Master Emmanuel Senador.