Boxers and trainers in La Trinidad, Benguet licensed by the Games Amusement Board have yet to receive financial aid through the social amelioration program of the government.
This is while boxers of Highland Boxing Stable in Manila have already received assistance, said Brico Santig, head of the stable.
He said these boxers and coaches also received relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The Manila-based stable has 17 boxers, nine trainers, and a matchmaker.
On the other hand, the La Trinidad gym has 15 boxers licensed under GAB, including Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Renalyn Dacquel of Abra, and four trainers.
Overall, the Highland Boxing Stable in Manila and Benguet caters to 70 boxers and trainers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Earlier, GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra wrote to the DOLE and DSWD seeking for assistance in behalf of the athletes listed under GAB.
“These individuals are unable to exercise their profession due to the imposed community quarantine and hence are devoid of a source of income. The P5,000 to P8,000 amelioration program will help them survive these hard times in our nation’s history,” Mitra said in his letter.
A total of 1,133 athletes and their trainers are listed under GAB nationwide: 805 are boxers, 79 are mixed martial arts fighters and 48 trainers, 32 Muay Thai practitioners and 12 trainers, and 157 boxing trainers and seconds.
Meanwhile, Team Lakay Chair Mark Sangiao said they have also submitted 21 of his athletes to DSWD to be part of the financial aid of the government.
He said they are still waiting for the response of the agency. – Ofelia C. Empian
