BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?: 421 Ilonggo athletes, coaches receive P4M cash incentives

By Mariela Angella Oladive

After an extended wait, the Iloilo provincial government disbursed on Thursday, March 7, over P4 million in cash incentives to 421 medal-winning athletes, coaches, and chaperones of the 2023 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet and Palarong Pambansa.

The distribution ceremony was held at Casa Real de Iloilo of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office (ISDMO) Head Dr. Janelyn Fundal. acknowledged the hard work and success of the athletes and their staff.

“This occasion stands as a token of appreciation for the tremendous efforts you athletes, coaches, trainers, and parents have put into your respective sports events,” Fundal said.

The distribution was led by Vice Governor Christine Garin at Casa Real de Iloilo in the presence of Provincial Administrator Raul Banias on behalf of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Board Member June Mondejar, and Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Ernesto Servillon.

The cash incentives, authorized by Provincial Ordinance 2000-217, awarded Palarong Pambansa medalists PHP 4,000 for bronze, PHP 6,000 for silver, and PHP 8,000 for gold, while WVRAA Meet medalists received PHP 2,000 for bronze, PHP 3,000 for silver, and PHP 5,000 for gold.

This ordinance also provided for the recognition of coaches, assistants, trainers, and chaperones with corresponding rewards.

The ordinance further caters to Ilonggo athletes who excel in international competitions such as the SEA Games, ASEAN Games, and Asian Games.

But these incentives are long overdue as these were meant to reward the province’s athletes who joined the WVRAA meet in Aklan from April 26 to 30 where Iloilo emerged as the overall champion in elementary, secondary, and para games.

In the subsequent Palarong Pambansa held in Marikina City from July 31 to August 5, Western Visayas secured the second position in the overall medal tally with 60 golds, 45 silvers, and 44 bronzes, with athletics contributing significantly with 24 golds.

The capitol has attributed the delay to some erroneous paper works, especially the list of the recipients.

Sports Development Officer Ray Cabarles confirmed the total sum of PHP 4,023,000 allocated for the awardees. Moreover, 49 athlete scholars were honored as part of the sports educational assistance program, each receiving PHP 24,000 annually as per Provincial Ordinance No. 2019-199.