Duterte doubles overall champ prize from P5M to P10M

CEBU. Parade of delegations. Davao City delegates enter the Cebu City Sports Center during the Philippine National Games (PNG) 2018 parade of delegations at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday. (Macky Lim)
CEBU. Parade of delegations. Davao City delegates enter the Cebu City Sports Center during the Philippine National Games (PNG) 2018 parade of delegations at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday. (Macky Lim)

CEBU CITY - President Rodrigo R. Duterte, apologizing for coming late for about two hours, yesterday doubled the overall champion team’s prize of the Philippine National Games 2018 from P5 million to P10 million to the jubilee of the thousands of spectators and delegates who witnessed the opening ceremonies at the Cebu City Sports Center here last night.

The original top purse of P5 million that will come from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be in the form of sports equipment and the next four placers will also receive P4 million, P3 million, P2 million, and P1 million worth of sports equipment.

The president’s counterpart, however, of the P5 million, P4 million, P3 million, P2 million and P1 million additional bonus will have yet to be determined if it would be in cash incentive or in kind just like with the PSC initiative.

While Duterte was Mayor of Davao City used to double cash prizes of tournaments where he was guest the speaker.

He also congratulated the athletes for their participation.

“I am honored to stand here to formally open the much anticipated Philippine National Games 2018. I am proud to say that the spirit of the Filipino athlete is alive in all of us today,” Duterte said.

He also urged the PSC to continue collaborating with local government units to intensify sports and empower the athletes and stakeholders as it will deepen the nation’s commitment to foster sportsmanship and integrity towards sports excellence and global competitiveness.

He added, “May this occasion serve as a platform to hone everyone’s physical prowess and promote patriotism within our athletic communities.”

“You have my full support. I trust you to enjoin me as we bring lasting change for our countrymen,” Duterte said, as he ended his speech by saying, “Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!”

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, in a statement, yesterday lauded the support of stakeholders and partners like the POC, the National Sports Associations, technical officials, national team, PSC staff and partners Cebu City and Cebu Province who timelessly worked out their share to make this year’s edition of the PNG happen.

“I am most especially grateful for the President's support, not only to the PSC and the PNG but to sports in general. We are lucky to have the nation's chief showing his support and recognition to the role sports play in nation building. Salamat po,” the PSC chief said.

He and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, overall in charge of the PNG 2018, presented plaques of appreciation to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and Governor Hilario Davide III.

The rest of the PSC Board Commissioners Charles Raymond A. Maxey, Celia Kiram and Arnold Agustin as well as Department of Education Secretary Leonora Briones, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and Special Adviser on Sports Dennis Uy also graced the opening rites.

Former and current Olympians and world-class athletes Elma Muros Posadas (athletics), Bong Coo (tenpin bowling), grand master Eugene Torre (chess), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Roel Velasco (boxing), Francisco “Django” Bustamante (billiards) and Monsour del Rosario (taekwondo) along with Fernandez led the lighting of the urn of peace and unity.

The PNG hosts indeed lived up to their promise of an elaborate opening ceremonies as hundreds of performers showcased the rich culture of the province and the city of Cebu, also featuring a Sinulog-like Festival.

Colorful fireworks wrapped up the event.

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