At least 109 Sorsogon athletes who won gold medals during the recently concluded “Palarong Bicol” on Tuesday received cash incentives from Governor Jose Edwin Hamor.

In an interview on Wednesday, Salvador Mendoza, the spokesperson of the Sorsogon provincial government, said each gold medalist received PHP10,000 in cash.

“Based on the record of the Department of Education (DepEd) Sorsogon, we won 38 gold medals for Sorsogon province and four gold medals for Sorsogon City. The cash incentives from the governor are rewards for the athletes who gave their best during the Bicol meet. It is also a way of motivation from the governor for the athletes to strive more for next year’s Bicol Meet again,” Mendoza said.

He noted that the number of recipients of the cash incentives is more than the number of gold medals won since some of the games were competed for by groups. “Like in a game they are 10, and all of them got PHP10,000 cash incentives each,” he added.

Aside from giving incentives to the athletes, the governor also promised to support every Sorsogon athlete in preparing for the next games.

“Isa sa mga outstanding athletes na nakatanggap ng cash reward noong Martes mula kay Governor Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor ay si Beatrice Maria Naz Mabalay mula sa Bulan, Sorsogon. Nakuha ni Mabalay ang limang gintong medalya sa swimming event, kaya nag-uwi ito ng kabuuang PHP50,000 na cash reward mula sa gobernador (One of the outstanding athletes who received a cash reward on Tuesday from Governor Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor is Beatrice Maria Naz Mabalay from Bulan, Sorsogon. Mabalay won five gold medals in the swimming event, so she took home a total of PHP50,000 cash reward from the governor),” Mendoza noted.

In a statement, the provincial chief executive emphasized the importance of supporting athletes in improving their performance in their respective sports.

“We want to encourage our athletes to do their best and give them the support they need to succeed. We are proud of what they have achieved in the Palarong Bicol, and we wish them to continue to represent Sorsogon with pride and honor. Proper training and support will help them reach their full potential and excel in competitions,” Hamor said.

Mendoza said the governor gave the cash prizes out of his personal funds.

Palarong Bicol was held from April 23-28 in separate venues in Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Naga City and Tabaco City. (PNA)