MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) The Philippine delegation to the Rio Olympics got a big boost to their morale on Monday, July 18 after new President Rodrigo Duterte promised to increase their allowances during a courtesy call at Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

According to the Philippine Sports Commission’s Ramon Fernandez who was present for the send-off, President Duterte promised that “he will find a way to increase the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission to support their country-wide grassroots programs that will identify talents to improve out standing in international competition.” 

Duterte, wearing the official jacket of the Philippine delegation, also encouraged the Filipino athletes.

“I would like to just say to you, ‘just try your best.’ You need not kill to win, just enough that you’ll try,” he said.

He reminded them to make the most of the rare opportunity to represent the country in the world’s biggest sports event.

“Not everybody is given the honor to serve this country. Of the 100 million Filipinos, you are given the opportunity to be part of the team,” he said.

Watch President Duterte’s speech below:

He also told them “not be afraid of the Zika virus,” which had led several athletes from around the world to beg off from the Games.

Duterte surprised the entire delegation by increasing the $1,000 allowance per athlete to $3,000 (or PhP 140,184). Olympic coaches also received an increase from $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 allowance for the Summer Games (PhP 233,640).  

Duterte also jested about increasing the incentive for the Philippines’ first Olympic gold – which is currently set at P10 million, reportedly saying “I’ll give you an island.”

But before his words of encouragement, Duterte spoke with words of sadness and regret for lack of government resources to fund sports.

“It is sad that we cannot really finance the building of the human being into an athlete,” he said in a sombre tone.

He said some of the big problems facing Philippine sports include lack of nutrition, that stunts the growth of potential athletes.

“At this time, they do not have the nutrition…We try to pick them up from the different provinces. In the sense that, we are not really prepared to give them an early training,” he said.

The president said he wants to devote more funds to sports. One source can be the billions of pesos lost to corruption in government.

“Everyday, allthroughout the Philippines, we lose about P300 million everyday in all ports. If I just collect it, tapos ang problema natin sa, at least ‘yung ating, athletes (our problem with insufficient funding for athletes will end),” he said.

The athletes and coaches cheered when Duterte said, “I assure you, during my time, I will get the money from the pockets of those who are not paying and give it to you.”

#PresidentDuterte and PH Olympics athletes do the clenched fist sign during photo ops. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/u1KXIKeDWn

— Pia Ranada (@piaranada) July 18, 2016

Said women’s table tennis representative Ian Lariba: “I am very thankful and privileged to be at the send-off with the honorable president. It was an inspiration to hear the president share his experiences about sports as well as his passion for it.

“What stuck in my mind was what he said about not everyone being given this honor and we should make the most out of this opportunity. He also said that when we get there, to give it everything we have. As for the allowance increase, that was a huge morale booster for me and all of us. His words were really comforting.” 

The 12 members of the Philippine delegation to Brazil include Kirstie Alora (women’s taekwondo), Nestor Colonia (men’s weightlifting), Eric Cray (men’s 400-meter hurdles), Hidilyn Diaz (women’s weightlifting), Rogen Ladon (men’s boxing), Ian Lariba (women’s table tennis), Charly Suarez (men’s boxing), Mary Joy Tabal (women’s marathon), Miguel Tabuena (men’s golf), Marestella Torres-Sunang (women’s long jump), plus swimmers Jessie Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi.

The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics opens on Friday, August 5, with the traditional parade of athletes at the Maracaña Stadium  in Rio De Janeiro and will close with a lavish ceremony in the evening of Sunday, August 21 at the same venue. – Rappler.com