Hidilyn Diaz receives P500K incentive from Zamboanga City – report

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Olympian Hidilyn Diaz received a P500,000 bonus from the city of Zamboanga to add to the P7 million she’s already attained from winning silver in the women’s 53kg division of weightlifting at the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Diaz, 25, received the additional P500,000 during a motorcade around her hometown on Friday, August 12. 

#Rio2016: Zamboanga City awards ₱500K cash incentive to Hidilyn Diaz for winning Olympic silver | @camilleabadicio pic.twitter.com/sswPtpO2Ka

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) August 12, 2016

The weightlifting star arrived back in Manila from Brazil on Thursday and then flew to Davao where she met Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte at the presidential guesthouse in Panacan.

It was there where she was given a check worth P5 million for winning the silver – by lifting a total of 200kg – thanks to the government’s Republic Act 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches and Trainers Benefit and Incentives Act. Diaz is also set to be awarded with a housing unit from 8990 Holdings Inc – Deca Homes.

Duterte, who won the presidency during the elections last May, then added an extra two million to her bonus. Putting all incentives together, Diaz has earned P7.5 million.

During a press conference held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Thursday, Diaz said that she’s planning on making a fourth trip to the Olympics in Tokyo 4 years from now, and with the goal of winning the gold medal.

With regards to what Diaz plans to do with her incentives, she says that part of it will be given to putting up a weightlifting gym in Zamboanga.

“Bibilhin ko muna yung lupa, tapos mag papatayo ako nang gym duon para sa weightlifting club,” she said.

(I’ll first buy the land, then I’ll put up a gym for the weightlifting club.)

The president applauded the plan, emphasizing the need for athletes’ training away from Manila.

“Yes, I would agree with her plans, para yung iba naman na probinsya [may] attention (so that the other provinces get attention). And also to give focus to the sports. Maybe you’ll be able to harness good athletes.” – Rappler.com