By Kleichelle Petronio

PHOTO: PCOO

Malacañang on July 27 admitted that the national Filipino athletes were not getting sufficient financial support and allowance from the government. 

“Kulang po talaga, parang minimum wage nga lang po ang allowance ng ating mga atleta. Titignan natin kung paano mababago ito,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque admitted.



Roque’s statement came right after Pinay athlete Hidilyn Diaz won a gold medal in the weightlifting 55-kilogram division of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she received multiple praises and commendations from the Filipino people. 

However, Roque also said that the Philippine government will look into it and even consider an increase in the allowance of the athletes. 

"Titignan natin paano maitataas ang nakukuha nilang allowance at iba pang benepisyo as members of national team. Kung napakaliit at kulang ay nanalo pa rin, mas marami ng mananalo ng ginto kung maibibigay natin ang sapat na benepisyo," Roque added.



He also assured the public that Diaz would get everything she deserves for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in 97 years— even more than the P33 million reward she has already secured. 

“Kung anuman ang kakulangan sa training, I am sure mababawi sa generosity ng pamahalaan at ng private sector because she truly deserves it and made us proud,” said Roque.


Report sources: GMA, GMA News