Hidilyn Diaz to be awarded housing unit, P5 million for Olympic silver

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez tells Sports Radio that 8990 Holdings Inc – Deca Homes shall give Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz a house and lot as promised before the Philippine delegation left for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This is aside from the P5 million peso cash reward stated in RA 10699 or National athletes, coaches and trainers Benefits Act, signed into law in 2015.

Ramirez said the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the PSC and 8990 Holdings is set for this Friday, August 12 when Diaz is expected to arrive at the PSC office. The rest of the Rio Olympians will also receive monetary incentives from the same firm, Ramirez said.

The executive assistant of Jesus Atencio, President of 8990 Holdings, confirmed to Rappler that a “verbal agreement” had been in place to award the Olympians and their coaches but says the agreement which will be submitted to PSC on Tuesday will award a “regular house and lot” to a gold medalist. A bronze and silver medalist, like Diaz, will be awarded a “socialized housing unit.”

A socialized housing unit is typically 35 square meters, with a floor area of 23.5 square meters.

A total of 40 awards of P10,000 will be given to athletes and their coaches.

Gym plans

Ramirez also said he will support Diaz’s plans to build a weightlifting gym in her native Zamboanga.

The weightlifting gym will be the latest addition to a planned Sports Institute, which includes boxing training centers in Bacolod and Baguio, an archery range in Dumaguete City and a diving center in Davao City.

“With the gym, I encourage kids to get into weightlifting. It’s not that big. But if I get some money I’ll put up a bigger gym,” Diaz said before leaving for Rio.

Ramirez said a ticker-tape parade is planned for Diaz’ scheduled arrival on August 11, aside from a possible courtesy call with President Rodrigo Duterte. – with reports from Jane Bracher/Rappler.com