Press Release - Jinggoy renews call for equalization of cash incentives for athletes with and without disabilities

SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada renewed his call for the passage of a measure that addresses the discrepancy in the grant of cash incentives for national athletes, whether they have disabilities or not.

"Sa kakatapos na Summer Olympics sa Paris, France, pinatunayan ng mga nagsilahok nating mga atleta na kaya nilang makipagsabayan sa mga pinakamagagaling na mga manlalaro sa larangan na kanilang kinabibilangan. Hindi malayo, lalo na kung mabibigyan ng tamang kasanayan, na magbigay din ng karangalan ang mga atletang may kapansanan na lumalahok sa international competitions," Estrada said.

"At kung mangyayari ito, karapat-dapat lamang na suklian natin ng kaukulang pagpupugay at pagbibigay ng insentibo ang mga atletang may kapansanan na lumahok sa mga international paralympic games," he added.

Estrada is the main proponent in the Senate of a measure seeking to provide equal cash incentives to both national athletes and athletes with disabilities who win medals in international sports competitions.

Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act," athletes who participated in the recent Paris Olympics and won gold, silver, and bronze medals will receive cash incentives of P10 million, P5 million, and P2 million, respectively. In contrast, Paralympians who secure first, second, or third place on the world stage are entitled to only half of the cash incentives given to their Olympic counterparts.

"Senate Bill No. 1442 promotes equality and inclusivity in the discipline, as it recognizes their common achievements in prestigious competitions and the inspiration they bring to the Filipino people," the Senate leader said.

In introducing amendments to the provisions of RA 10699, Estrada's SB 1442 seeks to remedy the discrepancy of financial benefits among national athletes who demonstrate the same level of commitment, hard work, and excellence in sports.

Estrada also proposed the grant of P2 million to gold medalists in the Asian Para Games and increased the current P150,000 incentive to P300,000 for those who will bag gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games.

He likewise sought to have the cash incentives for