Cash incentives for Cebu City's ASEAN Para Games medallists released

Local

CEBUANO athletes who brought home medals from the Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games will soon receive their long-awaited cash incentives after the Cebu City Council approved the release of ₱625,000.

The incentive package, sourced from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) contribution to the city, was earlier authorized under a resolution passed during the council’s recent regular session, and subsequently amended to correct clerical errors in the list of beneficiaries.

Councilor Rhea Mae Jakosalem, chairperson of the committee on youth and sports development, said the measure ensures that all medalists are properly recognized and compensated.

Under the approved allocation, gold medalists from the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will receive ₱100,000 each, silver medalists ₱50,000, and bronze medalists ₱25,000.

Among the top recipients is weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, who secured a gold medal and will receive ₱100,000. Softball players Jerome Bacarisas and Jasper Cabrera, also gold medalists, will likewise receive ₱100,000.

Esports silver medalist Gwyneth Berdin Diagan is set to receive ₱50,000, while bronze medalists Felix Calipusan Jr. (karatedo), Rheyjey Ortueste (sepak takraw), and Ronil Tubog (wrestling) will each receive ₱25,000.

For the 13th ASEAN Para Games medalists, Arman P. Dino, who won one silver and one bronze in athletics, will receive ₱75,000. Para swimmer Beariza Ma Josephine Roble, a silver medalist, will receive ₱50,000, while chess player Cheryl A. Angot, who clinched a silver and a bronze, will receive ₱75,000.

The SEA Games were held in Bangkok, Thailand from December 9 to 20, 2025, while the ASEAN Para Games followed from January 20 to 26, 2026.

The amended resolution primarily addressed misspellings and encoding errors in the names of several athletes, ensuring accuracy in official records and in the disbursement of funds.

The city government is expected to proceed with the release of incentives, recognizing the achievements of Cebuano athletes on the regional stage and reinforcing local support for sports development.(TGP)