THE officialdom of Benguet paid tribute to athletes from the province who bagged medals in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Governor Melchor Diclas lauded the athletes who were successful in their respective sport event in the SEA Games that added to the overall medal haul of the Philippines.

Benguet athletes on December 23 received cash incentives and certificate of recognition during the flag ceremony at the provincial capitol.

Gold medalists include Jerry Olsim in kickboxing, Ariel Lee Lampacan in Muay Thai, Jason Baucas in wrestling, and Crisamuel Delfin in Arnis.

Silver medalists include Jenelyn Olsim, Rusha Mae Bayacsan, Islay Erika Bomogao, Irendin Lepatan all for Muay Thai and Jones Inso for Wushu Taijiquan while the bronze medallists include Daniel Parantac (Wushu Men’s Taijiquan), Jedd Andre Kim (Men’s Sambo combat), and Karol Maguide (kickboxing).

Diclas lauded the athletes for giving honor to the country and the whole province, saying the provincial government seeks to strengthen support for the athletes with the completion of sports facilities.

Dean Mark Monang, Benguet sports coordinator, added in lieu of the provincial ordinance on sports incentives, gold medalists received P8,000, P5,000 for silver medalists and P3,000 for bronze medalists.

Lampacan who hails from Itogon and Bayacsan of La Trinidad both shared it was their first time joining the SEA games and acknowledge all the support that they gain towards reaching their success.

Lampacan, 21, disclosed his goal is to compete in the Olympics someday and hopeful Muay Thai will be included in the quadrennial meet in the coming years.

Among the 11 nations, this year’s 30th SEA Games ended with the Philippines triumphant bagging the overall title winning 149 gold medals, 117 silver and 121 bronze.