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| A Heroes' Welcome: Philippine President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) welcomed the country's newest sports heroes, the Filipino athletes who have competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, led by two-time Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas. (Image Source: Manila Standard/Presidential Communications Office) |
Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) highlighted the importance of advancing Philippine sports in light of the country’s historic performance in the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics. On August 13, 2024, PBBM and members of the first family warmly welcomed the athletes at the Malacañang Palace in Manila. The program gave the athletes the highest salute including a welcome dinner with top national government officials and private sector executives attending. In his speech, PBBM stated that he wants to be involved in the continuing development of sports in the country and stressed that the doors of the Office of the President are always open for the athletes for any concerns and assistance needed on their campaign in every international competition.
Before the athletes' arrival in the Palace straight off Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President shared, “Gusto kong tanungin sa kanila [atleta] kung ano ba ang magagawa namin para dumami kayong mga medalist. Hindi lang ‘yung mga athlete, pati ‘yung trainers: What’s the hardest part and how we can help?" Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann praised the President’s recent statements and assured that the current success will be sustained as the government remains committed to improving Philippine sports. “One of the key factors in the Philippines’ success is the President’s hands-on involvement from start to finish. This has significantly boosted Filipino pride and contributed to our historic achievements,” said Bachmann.
A seven-storey athletes’ dormitory and upgrade of training facilities will have its groundbreaking at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, paved way via a budget insertion from Senator Pia Cayetano through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as one of the Marcos administration's long-term plans for the welfare of the athlete. Bachmann added, “His ongoing support is crucial for continuing and expanding our successes." The Batang Pinoy, one of the flagship grassroots projects of the PSC, will be happening at the end of the year in Puerto Princesa City to provide platforms for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills and prowess as their first step towards their dreams of participating in the next Olympics and future international competitions. Meanwhile, a legislative bill constituting institutionalization of the Philippine National Games is continuously moving closer to becoming a law that will ensure its allocation of funding and enhance a better structure that will also serve as a stage for discovering new sporting talents. “What we see now is the government that enables victory. This is monumental. Sports prove that it will be a source of inspiration for the Filipinos,” said Bachmann.
Upon their arrival in the country, the Filipino athletes who have competed and fought in the Paris 2024 Olympics already received incentives and prestigious awards from the Philippine government to recognize their excellent performance at the most prestigious global sporting meet. The Office of the President matched the cash incentives received by medalists from Republic Act No. 10699 including a million peso (Php1M) cash incentives to all non-Olympic medalists. The Chief Executive also heralded Presidential Citations to all the 22-strong athletes and a Medal of Merit to two-time Olympic Games gold medalist Carlos Yulo. The Paris Olympians also shared moments with the community during the Heroes’ Homecoming Parade conducted the day after their visit to the Palace through an inter-agency collaboration of the national and local government that traversed the streets of Manila leading up to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum where a short program was held attended by various students from different schools. The Olympians also went to the House of Representatives to also receive additional cash incentives, recognitions, and the presentation of adopted House resolutions in honoring their stint in Paris 2024 which made the Philippines the best performing country in Southeast Asia with two golds courtesy of Yulo and two bronze medals won by Filipino female boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
