BUO na ang makukuhang allowances ng mga miyembro at coaches ng Philippine Team simula ngayong buwan, ayon kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.

Ayon kay Tolentino, muling maibabalik ng buo ang buwanang allowances sa pagpapalabas ng budget mula sa nilagdaang Bayanihan Act 2 ng Pangulong Duterte.

Matatandaang binawasan sa kalahati – mula nitong Hulyo – ang monthly allowances ng mga atleta at coach matapos isentro ng pamahalaan ang mga gastusin para maabatan ang paglala ng COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is good news for our athletes who have become anxious and even lost their focus during the pandemic. With their allowances back to normal, they can now concentrate on their training,” pahayag ng Tagaytay City Congressman, isa sa author para mabigyan ng dagdag na pondo ang sektor ng sports sa isinulong na Bayanihan Act 2 sa Kongreso.

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Kabuuang P180 milyon ang inilaan sa Philippine Team sa Bayanihan Act 2.

“And that’s retroactive from July,” pahayag ni Tolentino.

Aniya, may hiwalay pang one-time P5,000 pandemic assistance na ibibigay para sa mga atleta at coaches.

“The funds are now with the PSC and we expect the allowances to be back to normal on the next pay day for the athletes and coaches,” sambit ni Tolentino.

Naka-payroll sa Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) ang 996 athleta (regular sports), 262 coaches, 280 Para athletes at 82 Para coaches. May kabuuang P41 milyon ang budget ng PSC para sa buwanang allowances ng Philippine Team.

“It pains me and the POC, and even the PSC, to see the athletes and coaches suffer. After their historic and impressive performance in the 30th SEA Games where we emerged as overall champions, the athletes and coaches deserve nothing less,” pahayag ni Tolentino.