FORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies have called on the national government and commercial establishments to provide discounts and benefits for athletes, regardless of their sport and achievements.

During their dialogue with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Cayetano lamented the struggle of award-winning athletes who received little to no support or recognition before their success in
international sporting events.

“Ang wish po ng ating mga atleta, ‘di pa sila kilala, ‘di pa sila sikat, ‘di pa sila nananalo, may suporta na. Kasi usually, bumubuhos ang suporta pag medalist na,” Cayetano said as he pushed for a
government grassroots sports program to help local athletes.

Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu reminded commercial establishments that under Republic Act (RA) No. 10699, their businesses are entitled to tax deductions if they extend discounts to national athletes.

Abu said Diaz was the first recipient of benefits under the said law after securing a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For his part, Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado said there is a need to disseminate information about the different benefits that national athletes are entitled to receive under the law.

“Marami pa po ang di nakakaalam sa mga benepisyo na dapat nakukuha ng ating mga atleta,” Sy-Alvarado said. “Hindi simple ang makuha ang gold medal na ito. Higit sa premyo na nakuha o yung kasikatan, yung glory ng ating bansa.”

Aside from discounts, R.A No. 10699 entitles national athletes and coaches to benefits such as free medical consultations, health insurance, a social security program, Philippine Health Insurance
Commission (PhilIHealth) coverage, and more.

Citing the hard work and sacrifices of the country’s athletes, Cayetano thanked Diaz and her fellow athletes for inspiring Filipinos, aspiring athletes, and giving the country hope amidst the ongoing coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Kahit anong hirap, walang susuko. Walang bibitaw. The harder life is, the more that we pray,” he said.

The former Speaker also offered to extend his Sari-Saring Pag-Asa program to Zamboanga City, Diaz’s hometown, and vowed to distribute P3,500 each to around 1,000 sari-sari stores in the city.

“Pag binigyan naming ng P3,500, minsan yung P1,000, ginagamit nila sa mga panggastos. Yung P2,500, pangrestock ng kanilang (sari-sari store),” Cayetano said.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco