Paralympians' allowances in Tokyo tripled

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez shared the good news that all the Paralympians will have more allowances in Tokyo. PSC (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippine Sports Commission has quickly begun its bid to follow up on the success of the Philippine team in the Tokyo Olympics by increasing the allowances that it will hand to the Philippine Paralympic team to Tokyo.

Chairman Butch Ramirez announced on Thursday that the allowances of the six athletes representing the Three Stars and a Sun in the Tokyo Paralympics will be increased to triple the originally agreed upon amount of US$1,000 (around PHP50,000).

"We make a quick referendum that we will be adding an additional US$2,000 for all the delegates--athletes, coaches, and officials," Ramirez said in the PSC's People Sports Conversations podcast.

This means the Tokyo Paralympic delegation would have US$3,000 (around PHP150,000) per member in Tokyo as the team now looks to give the Philippines its first Paralympic gold and second overall in an Olympiad since Hidilyn Diaz's historic weightlifting gold in the Summer Olympics on July 26.

Ramirez then said the increase in allowances is one way for the PSC to show "the spirit of attention we have to give to the [para] athletes."

"Madalas itong nakakalimutan. Sa mga buildings, wala silang hagdanan. Palagi silang late at nakakalimutan," he added.

Ramirez then said that aside from meeting the cost of living in Tokyo, the allowance increase is done to boost the confidence of the Paralympians.

"Importante na maintindihan ng mga bata na they go there not as differently abled. They go there as Paralympians, kasi kung wala kang confidence sa sarili, pagpunta mo pa lang, talo ka na. So sa Philippine Sports Commission, suporta lang kami. Kung yung US$3,000 could motivate the Paralympic athletes, we will do that," he further quipped.

Wheelchair athlete Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda, powerlifter Achelle Guion, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin will represent the Philippines in the Tokyo Paralympics from Aug. 24-Sept. 5.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno