PHILIPPINE Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada) Davao City president James Infiesto underscored the unequal treatment and incentives of persons with disability (PWD) athletes receive compared to regular athletes during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at The Annex of SM City Davao on Thursday, June 29.
Infiesto recently attended the Philippine Para Sports Summit dubbed as "Transcending Barriers through Sports" held last June 9 at the Microtel Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.
"Ang mulo sa mga PWD athletes kay (The sentiments of the PWD athletes) we are already included in the Republic Act 10699 (an act expanding the coverage of incentives granted to national athletes and coaches, also known as the National Athletes, Coaches and trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001) but still there is no equality compared to the regular-abled athletes," Infiesto said, adding that they are thankful to be included in the law
"Tung niaging tuig man gud kung muhatag kag dungog sa mga Asean Paragames, muana ang mga politiko ug sports leaders nga mag huna-huna pa daw sila kung unsaon pag recognize sa mga PWD, nga kung huna-hunaon ang parallel sa competition sa PWD ug regular athletes kay pareho lang man (In the previous year, when we wanted to give the Asean Paragames athletes a recognition, politicians and sports leaders always make excuses on how to recognize the PWD athletes when infact PWD athletes have the same parallel of competition with the regular-abled athletes)," Infiesto added.
Infiesto cited that when a PWD athlete wins a gold medal in Asean Paragames, he or she receives an incentive of P150,000 while regular athletes enjoy P300,000 incentive upon winning a gold in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"That's a 50 percent less. Are you telling us that we are 50 percent less as an athlete than a regular-abled athlete," Infiesto said.
Infiesto, however, said that although the current Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez extends better support than the previous administration, he hopes that PWD athletes be treated equally as regular athletes.