This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Despite not winning any medals in Paris, the Philippines’ six Paralympians received P1 million cash prizes each from Malacañang for their valiant effort in the quadrennial sporting competition
MANILA, Philippines – The six Philippine Paralympic delegates will not go home empty-handed after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awarded the para athletes P1 million each and a citation.
The president, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, personally received the group during a meet-and-greet ceremony at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace on Thursday, September 12.
The six para athletes and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) officials arrived in Manila on Wednesday, September 11, from a Paris Paralympic stint which — even though did not bear any medals — set several personal bests for many of them.
Javelin thrower Cendy Asusano and swimmer Angel Otom both had great Paralympic debuts, while wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan qualified to his category’s finals.
Swimmer Ernie Gawilan, archer Agustina Bantiloc, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin also made the country proud following their gallant performance.
“Our para athletes did their best at the Paris Paralympics but fell short of reaching the podium. We are proud of their valiant efforts, nonetheless,” said PPC chief Mike Barredo in a statement.
“Now, it is time to return to the drawing board and establish a clear para sports pathway, from grassroots participation — especially among the youth and women — up to the elite level.”
Before the biggest sporting event for para athletes, the team made the most of a two-week training camp in Nimes, France, before the Games.
The PPC and the Philippine Sports Commission also earlier said that both parties are lobbying in Congress to increase the cash incentives for medal-winning para athletes.
Under the present conditions set by Republic Act 10699, para athletes are entitled to only half of the cash incentive of Olympic medalists.
Olympic gold medalists are entitled to P10 million, P5 million for silver, and P2 million for bronze.
Former Olympic swimmer Akiko Thomson-Guevara also paid a courtesy call on the chief executive in an event scheduled 30 minutes before the meet and greet.
Thomson, who competed in three straight Olympics from 1988 to 1996, is the most accomplished Filipina swimmer in the Southeast Asian Games.
She won eight gold medals in the sporting meet between 1987 and 1993. – Rappler.com
