SEA GAMES Palace talks ‘very interesting’ – POC

Efforts are being undertaken to recoup the 33 percent that the Senate took from the 17.5-billion budget needed to stage the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine Sports Commission said yesterday.

A meeting Wednesday at Malacañang involving the major players of the country’s hosting of the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 sportsfest provided a glimmer of hope to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

The meeting was attended by PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas, former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and representatives from Public Works and Budget departments.

The PHISGOC had earlier submitted a 17.5-billion budget to stage the 2019 SEAG but the Senate cut it by 33 percent, leaving it with 15 billion, an amount Cayetano insists won’t be enough to make the hosting truly unforgettable.

Ramirez remained positive that the amount taken away could still be recovered by way of other channels while Vargas said the talks at Malacañang turned out to be “very interesting discussions.”

Neither though.

Despite delays in the passing of the budget and the eventual budget cuts from the Senate, PHISGOC chairman Cayetano said that preparations for the country’s hosting of the biennial sports extravaganza are on target.

Cayetano said there is no delay in the planning and that preparations of PHISGOC and the construction or repairs of venues and facilities are six percent ahead of schedule.

Cayetano disclosed that PHISGOC originally submitted a 19-billion budget last year but the Department of Budget and Management only approved a 17.5billion budget which the House of Representatives likewise approved.

The Senate, however, reduced it to 15 billion.

“As a Filipino, I won’t allow us to be embarrassed. So we will find a way to ensure that our level of hosting meets international standards but also for them to see that despite this being the biggest SEA Games ever, with 56 games, 523 events and 29 venues, we want to be the best host. Here, we can show them our character as a gracious host,” Cayetano said. official would elaborate

Representatives of six companies which entered into partnership agreements with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) pose with Philippine sports officials at the Kalayaan Hall of SM Aura Wednesday. From left, Thomas Quemin (GL Events), Jin Guilliame-Lacoste (GL Events), Jaime Bautista (PAL CEO), Paul Butalid (CEO ATOS PH), William Ramirez (PSC Chairman), Annil Buxani (CEO Sonak), Lars Heidenrich (Mediapro), Alan Peter Cayetano (PHISGOC Chairman), Jirayu Supjindavong (Grand Sports), PAL executive, Ramon Suzara (COO), Patrick Gregorio (Director General).