Para team record-setting fourth place to receive windfall of incentives

EXPECT a windfall when the Philippine team that finished a record fourth place in the just concluded 13th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand flies back home.

“That’s for sure especially if they surpass their targets, which they did,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Patrick Gregorio a day after the Para team’s record-setting 45-gold, 37-silver and 52-bronze harvest in Korat.

Mr. Gregorio was, of course, referring to the incentives the Filipino medalists will receive since, by law, a gold in the ASEAN Para Games is worth P150,000, a silver P75,000 and a bronze P30,000 each.

Of all, tanker Angel Mae Otom will be guaranteed P750,000 for his five individual golds.

That is apart from the extra bonus for a silver in the mixed 4×50-meter freestyle relay team where she teamed up with Gary Bejino, Marco Tinamisan and Josephine Beariz.

Chesser Darry Bernardo emerged the most bemedaled Filipino athlete with six but half of it came in team events alongside Menandro Redor and Arman Subaste, which meant he would get P675,000.

Mr. Bejino, for his four mints, will receive P600,000 while another woodpusher, Sander Severino, stands to receive P575,000 for his five golds — three individual events and two team — and a team silver.

Mr. Gregorio, who gave P6,000 each as extra allowance to all athletes before they left, said the full backing from the PSC paid off since the national para team got the chance to break in its fresh talents.

“We will honor them as heroes when they come back,” he said. — Joey Villar