PSC to Give P250,000 Each to Families of Adili, Baterbonia
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pato Gregorio announced that the families of late Ateneo student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia will each receive P250,000 in financial assistance following their tragic deaths.
The announcement came as the PSC convened the inaugural meeting of the Sports Stakeholders’ Panel on June 10, following the incident that claimed the lives of the two Ateneo basketball players.
The panel was joined by representatives from the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the National Youth Commission.
In its statement, the PSC said CHED had already started a fact-finding mission to assess the team-building activity where the tragedy occurred. CHED has also provided psychosocial support and other services to the teammates and families of Adili and Baterbonia.
The PSC said these efforts are moving alongside the investigations of the Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and National Bureau of Investigation.
Gregorio and the panel also stressed that the tragedy should lead to stronger safeguards for athletes. The PSC said it will push for better sports governance, stronger safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response measures across all levels of sport.
The panel also expressed support for the proposed Sports Coaching Act, which seeks to regulate the coaching profession through a national registry, mandatory licensing and certification, and continuing professional development requirements.
The PSC said it is also working with Philippine Life Saving, with guidance from Surf Life Saving Australia, to expand water safety education, certification, and preparedness programs for sports personnel.
“Athletic excellence must be pursued within systems that are safe, accountable, and worthy of public trust,” the panel said.
The PSC extended its sympathies to the families of Adili and Baterbonia and said it would continue to seek the truth behind the tragedy while pushing reforms to better protect athletes.
