GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 12 allocated an initial P1.5 million in cash incentives for medal winners in the ongoing 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Magdaleno Duhilag, DepEd-12 sports coordinator, said Monday they are currently working on the mechanisms for the incentives, which will be given to gold, silver and bronze medal winners.
He said the cash incentive is aimed at motivating the region’s athletes to perform better and win more medals for the region.
In the previous games, winning athletes received P15,000 for gold, P5,000 for silver and P3,000 for bronze medals from DepEd-12.
These were on top of the incentives given out by local government units that ranged from P2,000 to P10,000.
The Soccsksargen Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) or “Team Sox” finished fifth overall in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa held in Antique with a medal haul of 26 golds, 22 silvers and 35 bronzes.
The region has raised its gold medal target to 35 this year as it hopes to further advance in the standings.
For the 2018 Palaro, Duhilag said the agency allotted around P18 million for the expenses of the entire delegation.
He said P12.6 million was provided by the DepEd central office while the remaining P5.4 million was sourced out from local government units in Region 12.
General Santos City contributed P2 million; North Cotabato, P1.5 million, South Cotabato, P1 million ; Tacurong City, P200,000; Koronadal City, P200,000; Sarangani, P200,000; Cotabato City , P120,000; Kidapawan City, P100,000; and, Sultan Kudarat, P100,000.
Duhilag said around P6 million was spent for transportation, P4.4 million for the training and preparation, and P750,000 for office supplies and other related expenses.
DepEd-12 adopted a revamped training program for the SRAA team this year through a system introduced by Olympian Henary Dagmil.(HST/PNA)
