Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has redoubled his pledge to developing sports in the Philippines by introducing a bill that will provide better opportunities and equal incentives for Filipino para-athletes.
Go filed this measure with the opening of the 20th Congress, which aims to amend or add to Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, which is also part of the advocacy he previously pushed in the last Congress. The senator emphasized that this disparity needs some rectification in terms of the incentive scheme instituted in the country for athletes with disabilities.
In his explanatory note, Go cited the Philippine Constitution, which mandates the state to “promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”
Go’s proposed measure seeks to enhance the incentive scheme for para-athletes to have it at par with those of able-bodied athletes at the same international events.
This bill is also designed to raise all other benefits for national athletes and coaches, while at the same time correcting the incentive structure of para-athletes. All incentives, bonuses, donations, gifts, endowments, and contributions from both public and private entities for participating or winning in an international competition are exempt from national or local taxes or fees under the proposal.
According to Go, the athletes would be able to celebrate the fruits of their hard work, and the support would also reach the intended beneficiaries straight away without any cuts.
He said that long-standing advocacy for grassroots sports and the welfare of athletes, creating a more inclusive, equitable sports development environment, would go a long way towards building a strong, healthy, and united nation.
