Filipino athletes who qualified for the Paris Olympics will receive cash incentives from senators.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Richard Bachmann made the announcement on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.

“Twenty-three million is only from Senator Risa Hontiveros, then Senator Bong Go has a figure already. He has additional. There’s also additional from other senators direct to the athletes already na pinasa lang sa (that was just coursed through the) PSC and I just signed a cheque siguro mga (of around) PHP30 million plus,” Bachmann said.

So far, 15 Filipino athletes have booked tickets to the Paris Games. They are pole vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo; boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam; rower Joanie Delgaco; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando; and fencer Sam Catantan.

At the 2021 Tokyo Games, the Philippines won its first gold medal coming from weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. Paalam and Petecio pocketed silver medals while Marcial got a bronze.

“We have until June 30 to see who else will qualify,” said Bahmann.

The PSC has allotted PHP52 million for the Paris Olympics, covering preparation, training and actual participation, as well as airfare, luggage and parade uniforms.

“We’ve already spent PHP43 million so I have PHP8 to PHP9 million left. If it’s not enough, I will look fore more,” Bachmann, a former professional basketball player, said.

Meanwhile, he bared the construction of a seven-story athletes’ dormitory inside the RMSC.

Demolition of the old boxing and pencak silat buildings, where the new dormitory would be built, is scheduled in July. The groundbreaking is set in August. (PNA)