President Marcos paid tribute to Filipino athletes who participated in the Fourth Asian Para Games by affirming his support to them, even "appointing" himself as their Cheerleader-in-Chief.

"I am here today before you not just as your President, but as your fan because when it comes to supporting athletes [who] compete under our flag, I am the Cheerleader-in-Chief, self-appointed," he said.

He made the statement during the awarding of incentives to the 4th Asian Para Games medalists in Malacañan on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

"It is just fitting that we are honoring our nation’s para-athletes here in the Heroes Hall, for this is what best describes what you are and who you are," he added as he likened them to Apolinario Mabini "who after losing the use of his legs, used his brilliant mind to rally the people to rise up, to fight, and chase the freedom that we so well-deserved."

The President hailed them for not letting their disability discourage them from doing what they wanted, nor deter them from achieving their dreams.

He congratulated them for bringing home 19 medals which brought the Philippines to ninth place in a highly competitive field of 44 countries.

"To say that para athletes are of a different breed and made of harder stuff is an understatement. Most athletes push themselves to meet the Olympic standard of being faster, stronger," Marcos said.

"Para-athletes have to unchain themselves from stronger restraints so you can soar higher, hurdle bigger obstacles so they can run faster, crush more powerful burdens that weigh them down so that you are, in fact, stronger," he added.

The self-appointed "Cheerleader-in-Chief" told them that it was only fitting to grant them incentives to help them along, and reminded them that the incentives are not merely monetary tokens but "symbols of the love of your countrymen and their admiration for all the sacrifices that you have made."

Marcos also urged the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and other sports associations in the country to continue breaking barriers in sports.

"I call on the PSC, as well as every sports association and community in the country to continue breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, building a nation where sports serve as an inclusive and unifying force," he said.

The Office of the President provided the athletes monetary awards totaling P13.45 million in addition to the incentives provided under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Those who won gold medals received P1 million, P500,000 for silver, and P200,000 for bronze.