THE differently-abled Filipino athletes who will compete in the coming Tokyo Paralympics next month and other major international competitions deserve the same recognition as the regular members of the national team.

In fact, they deserve the same financial assistance and rewards for their untiring efforts to bring honors to the country despite their physical handicap.

Speaking for the first time at the weekly “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom last Thursday, Commissioner Arnold G. Agustin asserted that the Filipino para athletes are equally-deserving of the financial benefits and rewards from both the government and private sector.

“Ang buong PSC, sa pamumuno ni Chairnan Butch Ramirez, ay nagkakaisa sa paniniwala na karapat-dapat na bigyan ng pansin din ng ating pamahalaan ang ating mga para athletes, hindi lang yun mga lalahok sa darating na Tokyo Paralympics kundi pati na sa ibang kumpetisyon,” said Agustin, also the PSC officer-in-charge for the paralympics.

“Malaki ang tiwala namin sa mga para athletes natin,” added Agustin, who was appointed to the PSC by Presient Duterte in 2016.

Agustin said the PSC, the highest government body for sports, is fully recognizing the contributions of the national para athletes and decided to give the same monthly allowances given to elite athletes.

“The PSC Board agreed to give the same financial assistance to our para athletes. Kung ano ang suporta ng ating pamahalaan sa mga national athletes, ganun din ang ating ibinibigay sa mga para athletes,” said Agustin during the weekly sports program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Agustin, however, lamented that the national athletes bringing honors to the country still get a bigger slice of the pie.

“Nakalulungkot lang na sa Incentives Act, hindi pantay ang makukuha ng mga para athletes. Sa Tokyo OIympics, may nakalaan na P10 milyon sa makakakuha ng gold medal na regular athletes,” explained Agustin.

“Batas po ito, kaya wala naman po kaming magagawa kundi ang mag-lobby sa ating mga kaibigang mambabatas para sa amendment. Nangako naman po sila na bubusisiin ito bilang pagkilala sa mga pagpupunyagi at sakripisyo ng ating mga para athketes.”

“Pero sa aspeto po ng pagbibigay ng monthly allowances at iba pang mga incentives na sakop sa kapangyarihan ng PSC, pantay po ang nakukuha ng lahat ng ating mga atleta.”

Agustin reported that five Filipino para athletes — Ernie Gawilan (swimming), Allain Ganapin (taekwondo), Jerrold Mangliwan (wheelchair racing), Jeanette Aceveda (discus throw) and Gary Bejino (swimming) — have already booked their tickets to Tokyo Paralympics scheduled Aug. 24-Sept. 5.

“Right now, lima na po ang ating mga confirmed na para atletes na lalahok sa Tokyo Paralympics. May tatlo pa tayong inaantabayanan na mapasama sa pamamagitan ng bipartite slots. Kasama dyan si Josephine Medina sa table tennis na kasalukuyang No.2 sa kanyang level.”

“Hopefully, makasama si (Josephine) Medina. Malaking bagay yung experience niya,” added Agustin, referring to 2016 Rio Paralympics bronze medalist Medina.

“But right now, we’re looking at para swimmer Gawilan. He is training very hard. May tsansa sya na manalo, lalo na maganda ang kanyang performances sa huling kumpetisyon nya,” said Agustin.

Agustin also assured the sports community that the PSC will continue to work hard for the welfare of the national athletes despite its limited budget due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Kahit mga virtual meetings, seminars and tournaments, patuloy na naka-suporta ang PSC, lalo na sa mga indigenous sports at grassroots sports development,” added Agustin.

He expressed hope that future sports leaders will continue to pursue their program.

“This will be part of our legacy in the PSC. Hopefully, maipagpatuloy ang mga programang ito ng susunod na administrasyon. Alam naman po natin na minsan , kapag may bagong lider pati yung programa kahit maganda, binabago. Parang ayaw na mabigyan ng credit yung kanilang predecessors.”

The Philippines made its debut in the Paralympic Games in Seoul, South Korea in 1988 with three men competing in athletics and one in swimming.

Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong captured the country’s first Paralympic medal when she took the bronze medal in the up to 82.5 kg event in Sydney, Australia in 2000.

The Filipinos failed to win any medal in three straight Paralympics in 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London.

In the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, the Philippines ended a 16-year medal drought when Medina bagged the bronze medal at the women’s single table tennis after defeating Julianne Wolf of Germany.