PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go co-sponsored a resolution commending the Filipino athletes who participated at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan for their historic performance where the country finished with four medals, its best-ever tally since it joined the global sports competition in 1924.

In a manifestation before the medalists who were physically present at the Senate Session on Monday, September 6, Go underlined the power of sports in bringing a nation together and thanked them for encouraging and inspiring millions of Filipinos with a message of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously filed and co-sponsored various resolutions commending the athletes.

"I extend my warmest felicitations and utmost support to our Filipino athletes who participated and exemplified admirable dedication and perseverance in different sporting categories during the Tokyo Olympics. I also would like to place into the record that this will serve as one of the greatest moments in Philippine sports history," said Go.

"Indeed, the accolades and accomplishments of our countrymen have served as a source of encouragement and inspiration, and even unified the nation. This goes to show that despite the challenges we are facing, and the humbling experience this pandemic has brought upon each of us, we (can) continue to strive harder and soar to greater heights," he added.

The Senator, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, personally congratulated the medalists who were each awarded the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence, a newly-created award which seeks to "recognize, honor, and commend outstanding Filipinos for their exemplary service, outstanding achievements, and invaluable contributions to nation-building".

The athletes were Eumir Marcial, who bagged the bronze medal in the Men's Middleweight Boxing Division; Carlo Paalam, who won a silver medal in the Men's Flyweight Boxing Division; Nesthy Petecio, who garnered a silver medal in the Women's Featherweight Division; and Hidilyn Diaz who set a record in the Women's Weightlifting 55kg event and made history by winning the country's first gold medal at the Olympics.

They are also set to receive cash incentives amounting to P1 million for Diaz; P500,000 each to Petecio and Paalam; and P400,000 to Marcial. The senators had each pitched in P100,000, according to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Go also highlighted that the medalists all hail from different regions in Mindanao—Zamboanga City, Bukidnon and Davao del Sur—and recognized the pride of Mindanaoans not only in bringing prestige and glory to the country and but also in nation building.

"Nakakatuwa na puro sila nanggaling sa Mindanao, napatunayan natin na ang Mindanao ay … 'yung Land of the Promise. Apat na atleta puro nanggaling sa Mindanao at ako rin ay masaya na rin na mga senador, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Koko (Pimentel), Sen. Bato (dela Rosa) and, of course, Sen. Zubiri ang ating pambato sa Bukidnon at dumadami na. Salamat sa tiwala ninyo sa mga taga-Mindanao," said Go.

He commended the other olympians for their spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship, namely Elreen Ann Ando (weightlifting); Bryan Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo); Margielyn Didal (skateboarding); Luke Gebbie (swimming); Kristina Marie Knott and Ernest John Obiena (athletics); Irish Magno (boxing ); Cris Nievarez (rowing); Bianca Pagdanganan, Yuka Saso and Juvic Pagunsan (golf ); Remedy Rule (swimming); Jayson Valdez (shooting); Kiyomi Watanabe (judo); and Carlos Edriel Yulo (artistic gymnastics).

"Ako ay nakiki-isa sa ating mga kasamahan dito sa Senado sa pagbibigay pugay at pagsaludo sa ating mga natatanging kababayan na nagbigay karangalan sa ating lahi, lalong-lalo na ngayon na nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya," he continued.

Go lauded their achievements as proof of the determination of Filipino athletes. He assured that the Duterte Administration would continue to provide the support and assistance necessary to help the athletes succeed and at the same time, provide for their families.

"Ako ay nagbibigay pugay sa inyo. Ang diskarte, tapang, at galing na inyong pinamalas ay nagbigay ng malaking karangalan sa bansa. Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang pagpupursige ng ating mga Pilipinong atleta, kaya naman nararapat lamang na sila ay patuloy nating suportahan at tularan," said Go.

"Nais ko pong ipaabot na ang gobyernong ito ay kaakibat ng bawat atletang Pilipino. Handa ang gobyerno na maghatid ng tulong at magbigay ng kahit anong suportang kakailanganin ng bawat Pilipinong nagsusumikap na maging mahusay sa kani-kanilang larangan," he pledged.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go promised to work hand in hand with the country's athletes to restore the Philippines' glory in sports and thanked them once again for their contributions in nation-building.

"Para sa ating mga huwarang kababayan, ako ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat, lalo na sa inyong walang kapantay na dedikasyon. Sama-sama nating ibalik ang dangal ng Pilipinas sa sports, kayo ay nagpapatunay na ang angking galing ng mga Pilipino ay pang world-class na nararapat lamang na pasalamatan at papurihan," ended the Senator.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go ensured last year that adequate funding is included in the PSC's budget this year to support athletes' preparations. Specifically, he successfully pushed for an additional PhP100 million pesos to be included in the 2021 budget which was later on increased further to Php250 million pesos under the PSC for Olympic preparations. As for the Paralympics, Go earlier supported the allocation of an additional PhP7.945 million budget for their preparations.

Earlier, following the request of the Philippine Sports Commission coursed through Senator Go, the Office of the President also approved the additional allowance of PhP100,000 pesos to athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Go also successfully appealed to the government to include in the priority list for COVID-19 vaccination the Filipino athletes and other delegates who will be competing or participating in the upcoming Olympics.

At the height of the pandemic, Go urged concerned agencies to help athletes whose training and livelihood had been hampered by the restrictions. This led to the provision of financial assistance and other forms of aid to athletes in various parts of the country.

Go also authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470. The law, which President Duterte signed in June 2020, provides for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac. (OSBG)

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