Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio announced an additional ₱6,000 allowance for athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Gregorio made the announcement during the Team Philippines send-off ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, where more than 500 athletes bound for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games gathered with sports officials, government representatives and private partners.

The additional allowance will be given on top of the athletes’ current allowance as the Philippine delegation prepares for the continental competitions.

Gregorio said the added financial support aims to provide a morale boost to Filipino athletes as they seek to improve on the country’s medal performance from the previous Asian Games.

The Philippines won four gold medals in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The 20th Asian Games officially open Sept. 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, with Gilas Pilipinas beginning its campaign against Bahrain on Friday.

The 5th Asian Para Games will follow on Oct. 18.

During the send-off ceremony, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino also named weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos and Olympic boxing medalist Aira Villegas as the country’s flag bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony.