THE 2018 Philippine National Games (PNG) final medal tally was finally released yesterday after some verification done by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The final medal tally showed Cebu City still on top of the overall standing and Cebu Province at fifth place. Cebu City and Cebu Province were co-hosts in the national multi-sporting meet held in various playing venues in Cebu last May 19 to 25.
Cebu City garnered 48 gold medals, 69 silvers and 79 bronzes to officially clinch the overall title, while Cebu Province captured 19 golds, 20 silvers and 30 bronzes for overall fifth place.
Baguio City finished with 38-37-59 gold-silver-bronze medal output to take overall second place followed by Mandaluyong City with 27-18-30 medal haul and Davao City with 19-31-44.
Before the release of the final medal tally, Cebu City was already assured of the overall title with a huge lead from the other local government units. It was Cebu Province which was hanging to stay on the Top 5.
Cebu Province was at fourth place when the partial medal tally was released on the evening of May 25, but the team dropped to fifth place on the next release last Thursday.
Cebu Province breathe a sight of relief after staying at fifth place on the final medal standing yesterday.
“It’s a relief that it’s final already and we stayed in the fifth place in the overall ranking. I’m happy and proud of the athletes, they deserve the credits for all their efforts that produced this achievement and brought honor to the Province,” said Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) executive director Atty. Ramil Abing.
Abing said that they will give P5,000 P3,000 and P2,000 cash incentives to the gold, silver and bronze medalists, respectively.
“As of now this is our plan for incentives but who knows Gov (Governor Hilario Davide III) might increase it,” he said.
Cebu City, meanwhile, will also give cash incentives to their medalists, with half of their P10 million prize going to the athletes.
The overall champion will receive P10 million sporting assistance from PSC and the office of the President. The overall second to fifth placers will get P8 million, P6 million, P4 million and P2 million, respectively.
The PNG, which is one of the qualifying events for athletes aspiring to make it to the national team, was joined by more than 70 LGUs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (RSC)