The Philippine government is preparing to distribute a significant amount of financial rewards to the country's athletes who brought home medals from the recently concluded 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Philippines Finishes Sixth with 50 Gold Medals
The national team secured a sixth-place finish in the overall standings after a strong performance. The medal haul totaled 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals, showcasing the depth of Filipino athletic talent across various sports.
This payout is mandated by law, specifically Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. The law ensures that athletes are properly rewarded for bringing honor to the country on the international stage.
How Much Will Each Athlete Receive?
The incentive structure is clearly defined for both individual and team events. For individual competitions at the SEA Games, the cash rewards are substantial.
A gold medalist will receive PHP 300,000. Those who clinched silver medals are entitled to PHP 150,000, while bronze medal winners will get PHP 60,000 each.
The rules differ for team events, depending on the number of members. Teams with fewer than five athletes will share an incentive equal to the individual event prize, dividing the total amount among members.
For larger teams of five or more athletes, each member will receive a set percentage. In these cases, every athlete in the winning team gets 25 percent of the individual incentive amount for their medal color.
Standout Performers and National Pride
Among the notable gold medalists was tennis star Alex Eala, who dominated the women's singles category. Eala also added to her medal count by securing a bronze in the mixed doubles event, highlighting her versatility and skill.
The distribution of these incentives serves not only as a reward for past excellence but also as a motivation for future generations of Filipino athletes. It underscores the government's commitment to supporting sports development and recognizing the hard work and dedication required to compete at the regional level.
The successful campaign in Thailand and the subsequent financial rewards continue to build momentum for Philippine sports as the country looks ahead to future international competitions.
