As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sponsored on Monday, August 19, Senate Bill No. 2789. The explanatory note provides for amendments to Republic Act No. 10699 to make the incentives of para-athletes commensurate and equal, similar and at par, to that applicable or awarded to their non-handicapped counterparts at the elite level.
This bill seeks to foster diversity in the sports arena and to acknowledge the efforts and work of para-athletes participating in global competitions.
In regards to what society’s take would be on the medals and victories of para-athletes, he said, “Kawawa naman ang ating mga para athletes. Pinaghirapan din po nila ang ginto, pinaghirapan din po nila ang bawat laban, pinagpawisan din po nila. Pareho naman ‘yung ginto, silver, and, bronze na napanalunan nila. Karangalan rin po ‘yon para sa ating bayan.”
Go underscored the recent victories at the Paris Olympics and clamoured for the same focus and attention to be bestowed upon Filipino para-athletes slated to compete at the impending Paralympics, set from August 29 to September 8.
He went on to say that he hoped greater rewards “would not only underscore the sacrifices but also prompt and motivate our young athletes with disabilities to become part of this noble struggle to enrich and further deepen the country’s pool for future competitions to create an environment of inclusive and empowering sports in the Philippines.
He also mentioned recent strides the government had been making to support athletes, such as the aid the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which he helped fight for, had provided both Olympians and Paralympians.
Go helped Filipino para-athletes headed to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games to receive P500,000 each in substantial financial assistance that he initiated last August 6. The grant distribution was held in the senate when the senator and the Philippine Sports Commission provided financial support to Filipino Paralympians.
Financial assistance was also handed out to Paralympians Ernie Gawilan, Angel Otom, Alain Ganapin, and Agustina Bantiloc as part of the contingent to the Paralympics in Paris.
