Historic!
This was how Senator Juan Edgardo ‘’Sonny’’ Angara on Tuesday July 27 described the feat of Hidilyn Diaz of winning the first gold medal in 96 years for the Philippines in the Olympic Games.
“Mabuhay siya! (Good for her!). Nilampasan pa niya ang achievement niyang silver sa Rio (She surpassed her achievement in Rio where she won the silver medal). Nakaukit ang pangalan niya sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas dahil sa kauna unahang gold medal ng bansa (Her name is etched in Philippine history for winning the country’s first gold). Congrats sa kanya, sa coaches niya, mga taga Zamboanga, at sa buong bansa na binigyan niya ng rason mag celebrate at matuwa at magkaisa! (Congratulations to her, her coaches, to those in Zamboanga and the entire country for giving the reason to celebrate, to be happy and to be united!),’’ Angara said.
As the author and sponsor of Republic Act (RA) 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Angara said Diaz and her coaches would receive cash rewards for winning gold in Tokyo.
For Diaz, Angara said she would receive P10 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor to be issued by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Her coaches, on the other hand, will receive the equivalent to 50 percent of the cash incentives for gold medalists or P5 million. In case of more than one coach, the law states that the cash incentives shall be divided among themselves.
“The entire nation celebrates with Hidilyn for bringing home the elusive gold medal in the Olympics. This comes at a time when we are all longing for some good news. Salamat Hidilyn at pinakita mo sa buong mundo ang galing ng Pinoy (Thank you Hidilyn for showing to the world the talents of Filipinos), ” Angara said.