Medalists in this year’s Palarong Pambansa will receive cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission, marking the first time the agency will extend such rewards to winners in both regular sports and paragames.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the incentive program in a video message during the opening of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, where he recognized the discipline, hard work and dedication of student-athletes representing their schools and regions.
“Masaya akong ibalita sa inyo, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, maglalaan ang Philippine Sports Commission ng mga incentive para sa mga medalista sa regular sports at paragames bilang pagkilala sa inyong husay,” Marcos said.
The amount of the cash incentives was not disclosed. In previous editions of the national school games, rewards for winning athletes were usually provided by local government units and other sponsors.
Marcos said the government would continue supporting sports development, citing athletics as a vital platform for building discipline, perseverance, respect and compassion among the youth.
He urged participants to give their best in competition while also enjoying the experience and learning lessons they can carry beyond the playing field.
“Alam ko na gagawin ninyo ang lahat ng inyong makakaya, ngunit huwag ninyong kalimutan, mag-enjoy na rin,” the President said.
Marcos said the Department of Education and the PSC are working together through the “Grassroots to Gold” program, which seeks to support young Filipino athletes from school-level competitions to higher stages of national and international play.
In a separate speech delivered by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto “Anton” Lagdameo Jr., Marcos reminded athletes to compete with honor and respect for their fellow players.
He also called on winners to carry their medals with humility and to use their victories as motivation for future competitions.
For athletes who may fall short, Marcos said defeat should not be treated as the end of their journey, but as part of the process of growth.
“Ang bawat pagkatalo ay hindi wakas, kundi isang hakbang upang lalo pang tumatag, matuto, at magtagumpay,” Marcos said.
The new PSC incentive adds a national-level reward for athletes competing in the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s premier school-based sports competition and a key pathway for discovering and developing young sporting talent.