Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
August 23, 2021

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accorded various awards and incentives to several Filipino Olympians who competed and won at the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics for bringing honor and pride to the country during a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.

“Your hard work, dedication and sportsmanship, even amidst the challenges in your training and competitions prior to the Olympics, are truly inspiring,” said President Duterte in his address to the athletes.

Hidilyn Diaz, who secured the Philippines’ first ever gold medal, was conferred a Presidential Medal of Merit and received PhP10 million cash incentive, with an additional PhP5 million from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for breaking the Olympic record in the women’s 55 kilogram weightlifting competition. She also received an additional PhP3 million from the Office of the President (OP) and a certificate of housing unit from the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Silver medalists in boxing Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were also awarded with cash incentives amounting to PhP5 million each and an additional PhP2 million each from the OP. While bronze medalist in boxing Eumir Marcial was given PhP2 million in cash incentive and PhP1 million from the OP. Likewise, all three boxers were bestowed with the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Rank of Kamagi) Award and housing units from the NHA.

“Your success will continue to motivate many aspiring athletes and our Filipino youth to channel their energies into sports and other productive activities, keeping them away from the harmful vices,” President Duterte stated, assuring all the athletes that the government remains committed in fully supporting their careers in sports.

The Chief Executive also recognized the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for their crucial role in the athletes’ preparation before the competition and congratulated His Excellency Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, for his country’s successful hosting of the Summer Olympics.

Boxer Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco, silver medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, received PhP500,000 from the OP. Olympic Shooter Jayson Valdez and weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando were also awarded with Presidential Citations.

“The strength and excellence of our athletes in the international sports arena demonstrate the Filipino spirit of resilience and determination to succeed. Our Tokyo 2020 medalists and Olympians truly embody our greatness as a people and as a nation,” the President said, expressing his confidence in the athletes to garner more accomplishments in future sports competitions.

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