THE proposed cash incentive for athletes in La Trinidad, Benguet winning in local, national and international tournament is being pushed in the municipal council.
Now on second reading, the Amateur Sports Incentive Ordinance proposed by councilors Apolinario Bagano Jr. and Guiller Galwan is pushing for incentives to team and individual event winners in regional, national and international competitions.
Legislators said winners in amateur events who garnered gold, silver or bronze and or trophies either as first, second and third place including their respective coach who are recognized by the Sangguniang Kabataan and the municipal government to represent the town in official competitions including Paralympics will be extended financial incentives by the local government.
Athletes winning in the regional competitions will receive P1,500 for gold, P1,200 for silver, and P1,000 for bronze while those who win in the national level will receive P7,000 for gold; 5,000 for silver and P3,000 for bronze.
A P17,000 cash windfall awaits those athletes who topped an international competition while a second placer brings home P7,000 and P5,000 for a third placer.
In team events, a P2,000 cash prize awaits the gold medalists, P1,500 for silver and P1,250 for bronze while this who compete in the national level brings home P15,000; P10,500; and P7,000 respectively for gold, silver, and bronze medalists.
Winners in international competition will be handed out P25,000 for gold; P20,000 for silver and include P15,000 for bronze.
The proposed ordinance also covers athletes participating in demonstration of skill through sports and arts.
“Exhibition should cover events which are not mentioned above and deemed as an event which is not in the spirit of competition and for a prize but allows the representative to participate through the demonation of skill through sports and arts which may be but not limited to the following: martial arts, dance sports, and ice skating, and other sports,” the ordinance read.
Each participant and their coach will receive equivalent amount.
Within 60 days from the receipt of medals, winners and coaches must submit requirements provided by the proposed measure.
The proposed law defines amateur events that does not offer monetary subsidy or offer financial benefit to participating athletes and coaches for their participation and for winning.
These events are organized or sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, National Sports Authority, barangays, Department of the Interior and Local Government or Department of Education and other official sports associations, and organizations which covers amateur sports.
The proposed ordinance salient feature includes “one-time policy” where in the winning athlete and their coach are entitled to claim the cash incentive no more than once in every level of competition every year. Provided, that such athlete shall in no case claim more than twice in case of an athlete participating in multiple events.
Meanwhile, athletes who are non–La Trinidad residents will be considered as long as they are enrolled in a school in the town and represented the school and the municipality in any sports competition.
A P1.5 million budget is being proposed every year from the Local Youth Development Office under the mayor's office.
Galwan added the ordinance will still be up for third reading with new provisions to be presented among members of the municipal council.