PSC uses own funds
for bonus of coaches

BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

THE Philippine Sports Commission will use its own funds to provide cash incentives for national coaches who helped Filipino athletes win medals in the 24th Southeast Asian Games if funds from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation are not released.

Commissioner Eric Loretizo said Pagcor, chaired by Ephraim Genuino, was supposed to release P4.8 million to the PSC last month.

"The PSC Board decided to use the agency’s resources para maibigay ang incentive ng mga coaches kung matatagalan pang ma-release ang budget na manggagaling sa Pagcor," Loretizo said.

Under Republic Act 9064 or the Athletes and Coaches Incentive Law, a coach should be awarded half of what the athlete received. For the SEA Games, athletes who won gold medals received P100,000 while silver and bronze medals are worth P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.

Athletes’ cash bonuses were distributed by President Arroyo last Dec. 22 at Malacañang.