ADDITIONAL BONUS

Diaz gets P5M from PSC for Olympic record

The cash incentives continue to come for “Golden Girl” Hidilyn Diaz. The 30-year-old weightlifter is set to receive an additional P5 million from the Philippine Sports Commission for setting a record during her gold medal triumph in the 55-kilogram category in women’s weightlifting of the Tokyo Olympics last July 26.

Diaz set an Olympic record during the competition, her total of 224kgs as well as 127kgs in clean and jerk which she lifted on her third and final attempt that gave the country’s its first-ever gold in the Summer Games after a 97-year wait.

Under Republic Act 10699 or the expanded incentives act, national team athletes who surpass Philippine record or ranking in any measurable international sports competition shall be given cash incentives.

The amount of which may be determined by the PSC, the government sports agency chaired by Butch Ramirez.

Commissioner Celia Kiram, PSC officer-in-charge, confirmed the additional cash incentive which has already been approved, signed and ready for release for Diaz.

Diaz returned last Wednesday, two days after her historic feat.

The said additional cash reward is separate from what Diaz is set to receive also from the government through the same act which hands P10 million for gold medal winners in the Olympics.

With this development, Diaz now has a total cash incentive of P48.5 million.

The MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) of telecommunication mogul Manny V. Pangilinan has approved P10 million for Filipino gold medal winners, the same amount that San Miguel Corporation (SMC) of Ramon S. Ang said it would give a few days before the Tokyo Olympics.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero also pledged an additional P3 million for gold medalists, while Diaz’s home province of Zamboanga City reportedly would provide P2.5 million.

The Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation Inc. headed by presidential sports adviser Dennis Uy has promised to give Diaz P5 million and lifetime free fuel from Phoenix Petroleum.

Following her arrival, President Duterte also informed Diaz in a virtual meeting that he would give her an additional P3 million reward.