Olympic-bound Filipino athletes will get a big boost before they fly to the 2024 Paris Games after several lawmakers pledged to give additional incentives for the contingent. 

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachman said on Tuesday, June 4, that a combined amount of P30 million from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Bong Go, and other senators will be given to the athletes who will compete in the French capital from July 26 to Aug. 9. 

It will be a huge assistance for the Nationals as they are bound to train for a month in Metz, France before travelling to Paris for the actual competition.

"Basically, she (Risa Hontiveros) funded and I asked to grow that fund because we have already 15 athletes qualified for Paris. Twenty-three million is only from Senator Risa Hontiveros, then Senator Bong Go has a figure already [at] may additional siya, Senator Pia (Cayetano) as well,” said Bachmann.  ArenaPlus.

"There’s also additional [financial support] from other senators direct to the athletes already na pinasa lang sa PSC and I just signed a cheque, siguro mga ₱30 plus millions," he added.

Bachmann also emphasized that the bonuses are not part of the P52 million budget which the PSC had earmarked for the quadrennial meet. He mentioned that ₱43 million was already spent for qualifying tournaments, training, and other minor expenses.

"So I have eight to nine million left [and] kung kulang man, I will look for money," Bachmann added.

So far, there are 15 Filipino athletes qualified for the nearing Paris Games: weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno; boxers Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo; fencer Samantha Catantan; rower Joanie Delgaco; and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Meanwhile, PSC will build a building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, specifically the pencak silat and boxing gyms, starting August.

The training venues will be reconstructed with an allocated budget of P100 million. 

"By the end of my term sabi nila is 1 and half or 2 years. The 6th and 7th floor will be for pencak silat and boxing, [respectively], and the five floors below are dormitories, the roofdeck is where they can hangout and make their labadas," Bachmann said.