Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Tuesday, August 13 renewed his push for equalization in the grant of cash incentives for athletes with and without disabilities.

Estrada noted that in the 2024 Paris Olympics, all the participating athletes of the Philippine delegation proved that they can keep up with the best players in the field they belong to.

“Hindi malayo, lalo na kung mabibigyan ng tamang kasanayan, na magbigay din ng karangalan ang mga atletang may kapansanan na lumalahok sa international competitions (It is not unlikely, especially if given the right skills, to give honor to disabled athletes who participate in international competitions),” Estrada said.

“At kung mangyayari ito, karapat-dapat lamang na suklian natin ng kaukulang pagpupugay at pagbibigay ng insentibo ang mga atletang may kapansanan na lumahok sa mga international paralympic games (And if this happens, it is only fitting that we reciprocate the appropriate tribute and give incentives to athletes with disabilities to participate in the international paralympic games),” he added.

Earlier, Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 1442 or the bill that seeks “Providing Equal Cash Incentives to National Athletes and Athletes with Disabilities” who win medals in international sports competitions.

The bill primarily seeks to amend certain provisions of Republic Act No. 10699, or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.”

Under the law, athletes who participated in the recent Paris Olympics and won gold, silver, and bronze medals will receive cash incentives of P10-million, P5-million, and P2-million, respectively.

In contrast, Paralympians who secure first, second, or third place on the world stage are entitled to only half of the cash incentives given to their Olympic counterparts.

The measure, he said, seeks to remedy the discrepancy of financial benefits among national athletes in recognition of the same level of commitment, hard work and excellence in sports.

“Senate Bill No. 1442 promotes equality and inclusivity in the discipline, as it recognizes their common achievements in prestigious competitions and the inspiration they bring to the Filipino people,” Estrada said.

In pushing for the bill, Estrada also proposed the grant of P2-million to gold medalists in the Asian Para Games and increase the current P150,000 incentive to P300,000 for those who will bag gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games.

Likewise, Estrada also sought to have the cash incentives for silver and bronze medalists in the Asian Para Games and ASEAN Para Games doubled from the current amount.

“Sa mata ng batas, ang lahat ay pantay-pantay. Our laws should treat everyone equally especially if we’re striving for the promotion of sports excellence (In the eyes of the law, everyone is equal. Our laws should treat everyone equally especially if we're striving for the promotion of sports excellence,” he said.