Carlos Yulo 

The House of Representatives is now studying the possibility of giving more benefits--including a lifetime pension--to Filipino Olympic medalists as a way to recognize them for the honor and prestige that they brought to the country. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House, said he had asked members of the concerned committees to initiate discussions on passing a bill that would institutionalize the grant of more benefits, financial or otherwise, to athletes who brought home medals from the quadrennial games. 

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, was apparently inspired by the exploits of local Olympians since the 2020 when they began to bring home medals in bunches. 

“Ang karangalang hatid ni Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz at ang ating mga Olympians para sa ating bansa at sa sambayanang Pilipino ay hindi natin kailanman masusuklian, pero maaari nating kilalanin ang kanilang tagumpay sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng benepisyo mula sa pamahalaan,” the Speaker declared. 

(The honor that Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz, and our other Olympians gave to our country can never be repaid, but we can recognize their victories by providing them with benefits from government. ) 

“Isa na po dito ang pagbibigay ng lifetime pension sa lahat ng Filipino Olympic gold, silver at bronze medalists na nagdala ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Magsisimula ito sa edad na 40 o sa kanilang pagreretiro mula sa sports,” he noted. 

(One such benefit is to give all Filipino Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists lifetime pensions for the honor they brought to the country. This will begin by age 40, or once they retire from sports.) 

Diaz, 33, a weightlifter, made history during the 2020 Tokyo games by bringing home the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal. 

Over the weekend, in the ongoing Paris games, Yulo, 24, made history himself by bagging two gold medals in gymnastics, becoming the first double-gold Filipino Olympian in the process. 

BUT FIRST, READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/4/instant-millionaire-carlos-yulo-to-heap-up-cash-rewards-after-paris-feat-1

An existing law that solons can tweak for the purpose of increasing the benefits for the likes of Yulo and Diaz is Republic Act (RA) No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. 

Under this law, athletes who win the gold medal in the Summer Olympics will receive P10 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). 

Meanwhlie, Olympic silver medalists will get P5 million, while bronze medalists will receive P2 million.

It was enacted in 2015 by the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.  

"Nais din nating nating amyendahan ang RA No.10699 upang mapabuti at mapataas ang mga benepisyo para sa ating mga pinararangalang atleta at kanilang coaches,” Romualdez said. 

(We also want amendments made to RA No.10699 in order to raise the benefits of our honorable athletes and their coaches.) 

“Layunin natin hindi lamang magbigay ng pansamantalang gantimpala, kundi isang pangmatagalang suporta na makatutulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” he explained. 

(Our aim is not just to give them fleeting rewards, but lasting support that would help them with their daily needs) 

Oversight functions of Congress on RA No.10699 will also be exercised, the Speaker said.