The City Government will release by early next year a monetary incentive to the seven Puerto Princesan athletes and medalists of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, the city administrator and legal counsel, told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Tuesday this is also a way to encourage the youth and other athletes in the city to participate and strive further in the field of sports.
“Makakapagbigay ito ng magandang health sa kanila at makapaglalayo ito sa kanila sa mga bisyo. Discipline siya na kukuha din ng atensyon at oras mo, so maiiwas ka doon sa mga hindi magagandang gawain,” said Pedrosa.
Pedrosa said gold medalists will receive an incentive of around P200,000 each; more or less P180,000 for a silver medalist; and around one hundred thousand for the bronze.
Based on the list released by the City Information Department (CID) in its official Facebook page, five out of these seven athletes got gold medals; one gained silver; and two others with bronze medals, one of which is also a gold medalist at the same time.
These five gold medalists are Kevin Dador Pascua for the Obstacle Course Race; Josefina Maat, Sarah Jean Kalalo, and John Jeffrey Morcillos for the Sepak Takraw Hoop Event, and Josie Gabuco for Boxing.
According to the same list, Morcillos also got bronze medal for the Sepak Takraw Team Doubles.
Ronsited Gabayeron gained a bronze medal for Sepak Takraw, while Romark Belo for Water Polo earned silver.
City Information Office (CIO) Richard Ligad in a separate interview also told PDN Tuesday the funds for this incentive is expected to be processed by January next year.
“Nasa resolution natin ‘yang mga incentives. Although ngayon lang nagka-problema pa tayo sa pondo dahil end of the year na, nag-sara na ‘yong libro, pero alam ko by January [2020] maipo-process na ulit ‘yan,” said Ligad.