Senate approves bill granting incentives for para-athletes equal to other Filipino athletes

The Senate on Monday, March 9, 2026, approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1743, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 10699, known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

The bill seeks to ensure that para-athletes and their coaches receive incentives equal to those given to other national athletes.

Senator Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go, chairman of the Committee on Sports, said the bill addresses long-standing disparities in rewards for athletes with disabilities competing in international events.

Under the current law, an Olympian who wins a gold, silver, or bronze medal receives PHP10 million, PHP5 million, and PHP2 million, respectively. Paralympians, however, currently receive only half of those amounts.

"This measure aims to provide our athletes with disability to be recognized on equal footing with other national athletes by ensuring they receive fair and just incentives for their achievements. This amendment will further promote inclusivity and equality in the Philippine sports sector," Go said.

The bill also proposes full tax exemption on all incentives, bonuses, and other monetary rewards received by athletes and coaches from both public and private sources.

Additionally, it seeks to allow donations, gifts, and contributions used exclusively for training and competition expenses to be deductible from the donor’s gross income and exempt from donor’s tax.

-Paraluman News