Asian women's boxing champion Mitchel Martinez yesterday said she and other Southeast Asian Games medalists from Negros Occidental have yet to receive their incentives promised to them by the Provincial Government.

“My fellow athletes have been asking me about the incentives. We lament that we are not even recognized,” the Bago City-born Martinez , a SEA Games silver medalist, who was among four athletes who paid a courtesy call at the Capitol last week, said in a text message.

Martinez said they could not help but feel envy hearing stories about athletes getting VIP treatment by their local government units in other parts of the country.

Philippine sports commissioner Eric Loretizo, who spoke to Binalbagan-born athlete John Baylon, an eighth-time SEA Games gold medalist, said the judoka had expressed disappointment over the treatment of the athletes by LGUs in the province. The PSC executive said Baylon is now representing Zamboanga City in national tournaments.

Arniel Ferrera of Cauayan, the SEA Games hammer throw champion since 2003, also lamented the absence of recognition from his own LGU. Ferrera is set to return to Manila today.

Vice Governor Isidro Zayco said he will discuss with Gov. Joseph Maranon the incentive package for the SEA Games medalists today.

The incentives were not determined earlier because Gov. Maranon was on-leave, added Zayco, who has assured the athletes of rewards for their achievements during their courtesy call.

“We even give incentives to our Palarong Pambansa medalists how much more to our athletes who won in an international event like the SEA Games,” Zayco said.

Individual Palarong Pambansa gold medalists receive P5,000, while silver and bronze winners are given P3,000 and P1,000, respectively.

The Orienal Negros provincial government have also allotted P57,000 as incentives for its SEA Games medalists.

Late last month, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved a resolution commending the Negrense athletes who won medals in the SEA Games.

Bacolod councilor Kevin Ramos is also filing a resolution recognizing the SEA Games medalists from the city.

Also winning gold medals during the SEA Games were basketball standout Jeffrei Chan of Bacolod City , softbelles Nelsa Delagente, Yocel Aguilar, Mary Joy Lasquite, Sheirylou Valenzuela, Sarah Jane Agravante and Cloiene Muyco.

The other boxing medalists are silver winners Junel Cantancio, Larry Semillano, Joegin Ladon, Junie Tizon of Bago City, Godfrey Castro of Cadiz City and bronze medalists Bill Vicera of Bago and Albert Pabila of Bacolod.

Golfer Anya Tanpinco of Bacolod City won two silvers, the same output turned in by Himamaylan's Julius Sermona, while Rosie Villarito of Cauayan also took a silver. The other bronze winners are Arnold Villarube of Escalante, Joebert Delicano of Victorias and Carlos Padilla V of Bacolod .*CPT

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