Filipino SEA Games Winners Will Now Receive Double Their Incentives

Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has announced that he will double the incentives of all the Filipino medalists of the Southeast Asian Games 2021. The Philippines placed fourth in the 31st SEA Games, bringing home 52 gold medals, 70 silver medals, and 105 bronze medals. 

“Please know that I really recognize all the tedious preparations you have made to perform your best in this regional sports competition,” said Duterte at the delegation's courtesy call at Malacañang Palace. 

According to the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 1069), Southeast Asian medalists will receive P300,000 per gold medal, P150,000 per silver medal, and P60,000 per bronze medal. Following Duterte’s announcement, the athletes will now receive P600,000 per gold medal, P300,000 per silver medal, and P120,000 per bronze medal. 

This doubles the Philippine delegation’s total due incentives from P32.4 million to P64.8 million.

Gymnastics star Carlos Yulo will bring home the biggest check worth P3.375 million for his five gold medals, one silver solo medal, and one silver team medal.  

But that’s not all—the medalists will also be receiving bonus cash incentives from the Philippine Olympic Committee for all their hard work. The amount is yet to be decided and will be based on sponsorships. 

To end the Philippines’ SEA Games run, the president also awarded select medalists with the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi, which is reserved for citizens who contribute to special advocacies of the president. Among the recipients was billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes.