MORE FOR JOY

GUARDO WANTS P500K FOR SEAG GOLD MEDALIST

Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo has authored a resolution that will grant Southeast Asian (Sea) Games gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal a cash incentive to refund some of her expenses during her preparation for the biennial meet.

Guardo will present the resolution in the next session. The City Government of Cebu will shell out P500,000 cash to the Barangay Guba, Cebu native Tabal if it is approved.

“Actually, Mayor (Tomas Osmeña) is willing to approve up to P500,000 for Mary Joy (Tabal). The funds for this will be charged to City sponsored activities,” Guardo told SunStar Cebu in a telephone interview.

Guardo, the deputy mayor for sports, said that he’s already prepared all the documents.

“What’s important is the approval of the mayor and he’s already OK with the cash incentive,” said Guardo. “After the agenda on Aug. 29, the P500,000 can already be directly given to Tabal.”

The diminutive Tabal who stands at 4’11’’, made Cebuanos proud after she won the country’s first gold medal in the 29th Sea Games. Tabal topped the women’s 42-kilometer race in 2 hours 48 minutes and 26 seconds.

“We will plan to give Tabal the highest recognition in sports. She have given honor to Cebu and to us Cebuanos,” said Guardo, who added that they will invite Tabal on the session on Aug. 29 if the latter is already here.

Tabal is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia until Aug. 24 after her stay was extended by Philippines Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico. Tabal agreed to stay to cheer for her track and field teammates who will start competing today.

“I’m very thankful it will be a huge help especially now I’m going to prepare for the Asian Games next year,” said the 28-year-old long distance runner. /