President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of advancing Philippine sports in light of the country’s historic performance in the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics.
On August 13, PBBM and members of the first family warmly welcomed the athletes at the Malacañang Palace in Manila. The program gave the athletes the highest salute, including a welcome dinner with certain government officials and private sector executives attending.
“I want to be part of the development of sports in the Philippines,” PBBM stated.
He also stressed that the doors of the Office of the President are always open for the athletes for any concerns and assistance needed on their campaign in every international competition.
“Gusto kong tanungin sa kanila [atleta] kung ano ba ang magagawa namin para dumami kayong mga medalist. Hindi lang ‘yung mga athlete, pati ‘yung trainers: ‘What’s the hardest part and how we can help?’ the President shared before the arrival of athletes in The Palace straight off the Villamor Airbase.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann praised the President’s recent statements and assured that the current success will be sustained, as the government remains committed to improving Philippine sports.
“One of the key factors in the Philippines’ success is the President’s hands-on involvement from start to finish. This has significantly boosted Filipino pride and contributed to our historic achievements,” Chairman Bachmann said.
This month, the seven-storey athletes’ dormitory and upgrade of training facilities will have its groundbreaking at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, paved way via a budget insertion from Sen. Pia Cayetano through the Department of Public Works and Highways. This is one of the long-term plans for the welfare of the athlete.
“His ongoing support is crucial for continuing and expanding our successes,” he added.
The Batang Pinoy, one of the flagship grassroots projects of the PSC, will also be happening at the end of the year in Puerto Princesa City to give platforms for aspiring athletes to participate in the next Olympics.
Meanwhile, the bill constituting institutionalization of the Philippine National Games is continuously moving closer to becoming a law that will ensure its allocation of funding and enhance a better structure that will also serve as a stage for discovering new sporting talents.
“What we see now is the government that enables victory. This is monumental. Sports prove that it will be a source of inspiration for the Filipinos,” Bachmann added.
Upon arrival of the Filipino athletes in the country, they’ve already received incentives and prestigious awards from the Philippine government to recognize their excellent performance at the most prestigious global sporting meet – The Olympics.
The Office of the President matched the cash incentives received by medalists from the Republic Act 10699, including a million peso cash incentives to all the non-Olympic medalists.
The Chief Executive also heralded Presidential Citations to all the 22-strong athletes, and a Medal of Merit to Yulo.
The Paris Olympians also shared moments with the community during the Heroes’ Homecoming Parade conducted through an inter-agency collaboration of the national and local government that traversed the streets of Manila leading up to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum where a short program was held attended by various students from different schools.
The Olympians also went to the House of Representatives to also receive additional cash incentives, recognitions, and the presentation of adopted House resolutions in honoring their stint in Paris 2024.
