Bayanihan Act 2 awaits final approval from President Duterte, says POC chief Tolentino


PH athletes, coaches will soon get their full monthly allowance
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino (MB Photo / Alvin Kasiban)

National athletes and coaches will soon get their full monthly allowance after the House of Representatives ratified the bicameral committee report of the Bayanihan Act 2.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino confirmed this Monday, saying the bill will be sent to President Duterte for final approval.

Tolentino, also Tagaytay City’s Representative, included a provision in the bill where it will allocate P180 million for PH athletes and coaches after their stipends were trimmed into half a few months ago due to the pandemic.

Tolentino said once signed by President Duterte, it will undergo publication then the Department of Budget will release the allocation notice to the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Hopefully in September,” he said.

“If that will be the timeline, they will receive half of June, July, August and September (allowances), then October will be full.”

Tolentino said the Congress would monitor the oversight.

“Yang ang tulong namin sa atleta na nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa,” he said.

Last May, the PSC announced it will temporarily cut the allowances of athletes and coaches into half after the agency's funds dwindled due to the global health crisis.

PSC’s remittances are usually sourced from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, but their budget also took a massive hit since casinos are closed due to the pandemic.

Despite this, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez assured athletes and coaches that they are entitled to pay backs once remittances return.