By Jean Malanum

PH PRIDE. Medalists in the 2026 ASEAN Para Games with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials during the distribution of cash incentives at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday (April 28, 2026). The cash incentives for national athletes is under Republic Act 10699. (PSC photo)

MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) awarded cash incentives to the medalists of the 2026 ASEAN Para Games on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The incentives amounting to more than PHP11 million are under Republic Act 10699, which awards PHP150,000 for gold, PHP75,000 for silver, and PHP30,000 for bronze medals.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the committee on youth and sports, joined PSC Chairperson John Patrick Gregorio and Commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, Walter Torres and Edward Hayco, and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) president Michael Barredo in the awarding.

“Despite the times of the energy crisis and all, today is the day that we celebrate the honor and glory of all athletes, and the pride that you gave to all Filipinos. This is the first time after so many years that we placed fourth after years of fifth and sixth place finishes,” said Barredo in a speech.

Meanwhile, Go noted that legislation for equal incentives among para-athletes and able-bodied athletes remains pending.

Presently, para-athletes get only half the incentives of their Southeast Asian Games counterparts – PHP150,000 vs. PHP300,000 (gold), PHP75,000 vs. PHP150,000 (silver) and PHP30,000 vs. PHP60,000 (bronze). (PNA)