National Athletes, Coaches to Get More Benefits, Incentives

(PNA) — The House of Representatives approved on 2nd Reading a measure expanding the coverage of incentives granted to national athletes and coaches.

Rep. Anthony G. Del Rosario (1st Dist., Davao Del Norte), chairperson of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, said House Bill 5912 should provide benefits and incentives for national athletes and other athletes, who win in international sports competition, bringing honor and recognition to the country.

“The bill will expand the coverage of incentives granted to national athletes and coaches in a bid to promote excellence in sports and looking after the welfare of national athletes and coaches competing for the country,” Del Rosario said.

The bill seeks to repeal Republic Act 9064, also known as National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

“The measure increases the incentives granted to national athletes and coaches, the coverage of international sports competitions also expanded,” Del Rosario said.

The bill excludes trainers from receiving the incentives and benefits, but athletes with disabilities are this time added to the definition of national athletes.

The measure defines national athletes as athletes who are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the POC and the PSC, including athletes with disabilities recognized and accredited by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) and the PSC, and who have represented the country in international sports competition as Team Philippines.

Under the measure, national athletes who have represented the country in international sports competitions, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as Team Philippines, who won gold, silver and bronze medals in international sports competitions shall be entitled to cash awards.

Gold medalists will receive P10 million for Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic Games, P5 million for Youth Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; P2 million for Asian Games and Asian Winter Games; 1 million for Asian Paralympic Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and World level competitions held every two years with at least 45 countries participating; P500,000 for Asian Beach Games, Asian level competitions held every two years with at least 25 countries participating; and qualifying competitions for Asian level and World level games, P300,000 for Southeast Asian Games; and P150,000 for ASEAN Para Games.

Silver medalists will receive P5 million for Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic Games; P2.5 M for Youth Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; P1M for Asian Games and Asian Winter Games; P500,000 for Asian Paralympic Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and Asian level competitions held every two years with at least forty-five countries participating; P250,000 for Asian Beach Games, Asian level competitions held every two years with at least 25 countries participating and qualifying competitions for Asian level and World level games; P150,000 for Southeast Asian Games; and P75,000 for ASEAN Para Games.

Bronze medalists shall receive P2 million for Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic Games; P1M for Youth Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; P400,000 for Asian Games and Asian Winter Games; P200,000 for Asian Paralympic Games and Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games; P100,000 for Asian Beach Games; P60,000 for Southeast Asian Games; and P30,000 for ASEAN Para Games.

For competitions with less than 5 participants per team, the team shall receive the same cash awards for individual medal winners to be divided among the team members actually present during the competition.

Also, for competitions with 5 or more members per team, each member shall receive 25% of the cash awards for individual medal winners.

For demonstration and exhibition sports events in the Olympic games with at least 45 countries participating, the winning athlete shall receive 25% of the cash awards for Olympic medalists.

Coaches of national athletes shall also be entitled to cash awards equivalent to 59 percent of the cash awards for gold, silver and bronze medalists and maybe divided among themselves, if in case of more than one coach.

The proposed “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act,” grants tax deduction, instead of tax credit to private establishments for giving 20% discounts to the athletes and coaches.

Likewise, penalties and fines for any person, corporation or juridical person for non compliance of the 20% discount granted to the national athletes and coaches is also provided in the measure.

The measure also grants Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) benefit through PSC sponsorship and makes the athletes honorary member at the age of 55 while the coach at the age of 60.

Winning national athletes are entitled to scholarship benefits, and would likewise be given priority by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).

The authors of the bill are Reps. Anthony del Rosario (1st District, Davao Del Norte), Harlin Abayon (1st District, Northern Samar), Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan De Oro City), Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party List, ABAMIN), James Mark Terry Ridon (Party List, KABATAAN), Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City), Romero Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Gerald Anthony Gullas, Jr. (1st District, Cebu), Rodrigo Abellanosa (2nd District, Cebu City), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Joseller Guiao (1st District, Pampanga), Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), Lino Cayetano (2nd District, Taguig City), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Davao Del Norte), Juan Johnny Revilla (Party List, OFW), Dakila Carlo Cua (Lone District, Quirino), Raul Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), Rodel Batocabe (Party List, AKO BICOL), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Raneo Abu (2nd District, Batangas), Sharon Garin (Party List, AAMBIS-OWA) and Sherwin Tugna (Party List, CIBAC). (PNA) CTB/PR/EBP