Bigger allowances up for nat’l athletes

MANILA, Philippines - National athletes who are not in the priority list will no longer feel deprived of support from the Philippine Sports Commission.

Starting today and onwards, the more than 600 athletes in the pool will receive a 20 percent increase in their monthly allowances.

These athletes, including medalists in the previous Southeast Asian Games, get monthly allowances ranging from P10,000 to P20,000.

But with the increase, which was approved by the PSC board last June 1, the allowances will go up to P12,000 up to P24,000.

Even those in the developmental pool and the junior athletes, who get P6,000 to P8,000 a month, will be entitled to the increase.

“We feel it’s about time. And they need it,” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia, citing today’s cost of living.

The increase will narrow the gap between those in the priority list and those who are just striving to make it.

Under the present set-up, priority athletes numbering just over a hundred get as much as P40,000 a month from the PSC.

These are the athletes who have proven themselves in the bigger stage like the Asian Games, Olympics and the different World Championships.

“We’re doing this to somehow close the gap between those in the priority list and the regular athletes,” Garcia added.

“Not because we have priority athletes means that we can turn our back on the others,” said the chef-de-mission of the Philippine team to the Incheon Asian Games in September.

Garcia said the increase in allowance is not a reason to celebrate but a reason for these athletes to work harder in training and in actual competition.

The PSC board, which includes Salvador Andrada, Jolly Gomez, Iggy Clavecilla and Akiko Thomson, is also studying the possibility of putting up a priority list for Filipino coaches and trainers.

Due to heavy cost-cutting and belt-tightening measures under Garcia’s term, the PSC has saved enough money in the bank to implement the increase.

“We are already discussing the guidelines. I think we will be ready to entertain applications by the end of this month,” said Garcia.