Nationals get discount on goods, etc. but...

Good news and bad news for national athletes and coaches.

Members of the Philippine team will soon enjoy a 20-percent discount on all goods, commodities and services as the Bureau of Internal Revenue released its revenue regulation letter signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay.

“We have been looking forward to this and we are thankful that our athletes and coaches will finally enjoy the privilege they deserve,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

For one to qualify, he or she must have participated in international competitions with no prizes like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympics among others and an issued ID and a booklet.

This welcome development, however, came on the same day the PSC hinted at the possibility of reducing their monthly stipend, with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. reportedly remitting only P9 million for the month of April.

It was a big slash from the P120-million remittance the government sports-funding agency has been receiving in the past as mandated by law.

“There is a chance there will be a big reduction in the allowance,” a source told The STAR.

Also part of its belt-tightening measures is the non-extension of contracts of some foreign coaches after this month.

A consolation for the Nationals is their 20-percent discount on goods, medicine, transportation, services and even from restaurants, hotels and movie theaters. Meanwhile, establishments that will grant discounts will, in turn, receive tax relief.

To ensure that only qualified athletes and coaches get the discount, the PSC will issue Philippine National Sports Team identification cards and booklets.