Council reiterates 20 percent discount for National Athletes, Coaches

The Baguio City Council, in a recently approved resolution, has reiterated its appeal to all business establishments operating in the city to comply with the granting of a 20% discount and other benefits to all national athletes and coaches.

The grant of a 20% discount to national athletes and coaches are covered by Republic Act No. 10699, otherwise known as the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001, specifically under Section 4.

Section 4a of the Act provides for the grant of a 20% discount from all commercial establishments for the utilization of transportation services, hotels and other lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers, and purchase of medicine and sports equipment anywhere in the country by all national athletes and coaches.

Furthermore, Section 4b of the same Act stipulates that a minimum of 20% discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement shall be enjoyed by national athletes and coaches.

Councilors Levy Lloyd Orcales and Benny Bomogao, the main authors of the resolution, claimed that the majority of the privately-owned establishments in the city are still unaware of the existence and implementation of RA No. 10699. They asserted that many Baguio-based national athletes and coaches are yet to enjoy their “deserved” 20% discount.

Previously, the city council passed a similar resolution. However, because of the aforementioned observation, Orcales and Bomogao penned another resolution reiterating the city council’s earlier request.

The councilors said there is a need to remind again the business establishments in the city to comply with the law in order to provide the necessary support to the city’s national athletes and coaches where some of them have successfully represented the country in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Under Section 11 of RA No. 10699,  the fine for non-compliance is P100, 000.00, or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years or both for the first violation; and P200, 000.00 or imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years, or both for any subsequent violation.  –Jordan G. Habbiling