Students and athletes who bring home medals for Bislig City can now claim cash from the city government, with amounts that rise from P5,000 for a provincial gold to P150,000 for an international gold.

City Ordinance No. 2026-20 institutionalizes cash incentives for individuals or groups who excel in sports, academic, skills and talent competitions, along with their coaches and trainers. The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted it on August 4, 2026, during its 55th regular session, and Mayor Florencio C. Garay approved it on August 18, 2026.

It was authored by Councilor Jonas A. Cacayan, co-authored by Councilor Apolio C. Alvar and SK Federation President Ana Mae M. Agusa, and sponsored by Indigenous Peoples Representative Florio S. Josafat, Jr. and Vice Mayor Conrad C. Cejoco. Its official name is "The Bislig City Sports and Academic and other Talent Competition Awards Program."

Which competitions count

The ordinance covers competitions at the provincial, regional and national levels that are organized, accredited or sanctioned by the Department of Education, plus international competitions permitted or authorized by the concerned government agency. Talent competitions refer to the categories of the DepEd Festival of Talents. Examples named in the ordinance include the Surigao del Sur Provincial Meet, Palarong Pambansa, the Philippine National Youth Games (Batang Pinoy), the National Games, the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games and the Olympics.

How much medalists get

For individual winners, the cash awards are:

  • International: P150,000 (gold), P100,000 (silver), P75,000 (bronze)
  • National: P100,000 (gold), P50,000 (silver), P30,000 (bronze)
  • Regional: P15,000 (gold), P10,000 (silver), P5,000 (bronze)
  • Provincial: P5,000 (gold), P3,000 (silver), P2,000 (bronze)

Pairs and teams receive twice the individual amount, shared among members. At the regional level, a team of 5 to 15 players receives three times the individual amount.

Coaches and trainers receive half of the individual-category amount for the highest award won by the athlete or team they handled, given only once. Winners also receive a framed certificate of recognition and, if funds allow, a simple token. A medalist who wins several awards is paid only for the highest one.

Who can apply

Athletes and contestants must be bona fide residents of Bislig, certified by their punong barangay, or non-residents representing a school or institution located in Bislig. They also need a certificate of good moral standing from their barangay and official proof that they won first, second or third place, or a gold, silver or bronze medal.

The application deadline matters: winners must file with the awards committee within one year of the competition date, or the incentive is forfeited.

Who decides

A new committee, the Bislig City Sports and Academic Competition Excellence Awards Program Committee, is chaired by the City Mayor with the Vice Mayor as vice chair. Its members include the council's committee chairs on youth and sports, education, and budget, as well as the city budget officer, treasurer, planning coordinator, tourism officer and local youth development officer. DepEd serves as its secretariat. The committee meets at least twice a year to evaluate and approve applicants, and it keeps a permanent record of all awardees.

Awards are handed out during the city's flag raising ceremony, or at a major city event if the committee decides.

How it is funded

The ordinance requires at least P2,450,000 to be set aside every year in the city budget for the program, covering cash awards and costs such as certificates and plaques. The city may add to the fund through private donations, sponsorships or supplemental budgets. The amounts may be adjusted yearly on the committee's recommendation, subject to available funds.

The ordinance took effect after its approval and posting in all barangays. Its full text is on the city government's Ordinances 2026 page at bislig.gov.ph.