The House Committee on Youth and Sports Development approved on Aug. 24, 2021, a bill increasing the cash incentives granted to national athletes and coaches, according to reports.

The bill, authored by 3rd district Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor is known as House Bill No. 8388 or “An Act Further Expanding the Coverage of Incentives Granted to National Athletes and Coaches, Amending For The Purpose Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act”.

The bill was approved by the said House committee subject to amendments, reports add.

Tutor said there is a “need to increase the cash incentives under the law to reflect” the country’s gratitude towards the enormous work and sacrifice of national athletes and coaches to bring pride and honor to the Philippines.”

National athletes’ achievement have brought pride to the country and financial incentives are a way to boost their morale and motivate them to win medals, the reports bare.

Just recently, the Philippines participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that was delayed for a year due to the pandemic.

Four (4) Philippine athletes captured Olympic medals, one gold medal from Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, 2 silver medals from boxers Nesthy Petecho and Carlo Paalam and a bronze medal from Eumir Marcial.