PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday matched the cash incentives of athletes who won medals in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand last December.
Speaking at the “Parangal at Pasasalamat sa mga Bayaning Atleta” event in Intramuros, Manila, Marcos said the Office of the President would add to the money to be given to the athletes as a way of recognizing their hard work, and for giving pride and glory to the country.
“Carrying our flag, you showed what Filipino athletes can achieve. And at the end of the competition, you did not disappoint us,” Marcos said in Filipino.
“We know that your sacrifice is priceless, but please accept it as a symbol of the Filipino people’s way of showing respect and gratitude for your heroism,” he added.
Team Philippines won a total of 277 medals (50 gold, 73 silver and 154 bronze), exceeding the medal haul in the last two SEA Games, and placing the country sixth overall in the latest edition of the biennial competition held in Thailand from Dec. 9 to 20, 2025.
As mandated by Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, SEA Games medalists are entitled to the following: Gold-P300,000, Silver-P150,000 and Bronze-P60,000.
Other SEA Games participants, as well as those who participated and won in non-SEAG international competitions will receive P10,000, the chief executive said.
“We are proud to recognize the skill and talent you have shown. But, with or without medals, you are all winners in the hearts of the Filipino people,” Marcos said.
The president likewise recognized the historic achievements of Filipino athletes in the biennial meet. Among them are Alexandra “Alex” Eala, the first Filipina to win a SEA Games gold medal in women’s singles tennis in 26 years; Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, who captured his fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal in the men’s pole vault; and the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, which made history by winning the country’s first SEA Games football gold.
To ensure Filipino athletes continue to assert their dominance in the international stage, Marcos pointed to the government’s ongoing efforts to ramp up sports development in the country. This is to not only produce more champions, but to also inspire more citizens to pursue a career in sports.
“We are expanding our grassroots and youth sports programs, adding necessary facilities and further strengthening support for athletes participating on the international stage,” he said.
“We are doing this to shape the next generation of Filipino athletes — young people with dreams, self-belief and ready to fight in the name of our flag,” he added.
