New Clark City gears up for hosting of 30th SEA Games

NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac — A world-class sports complex will be built within the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) at New Clark City which will be used as venues in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in 2019.

In his message during the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the NGAC, Foreign Affairs Secretary and SEAG 2019 National Organizing Committee Chair Alan Peter Cayetano said the Stadium shall have a seating capacity of 20,000 while the Aquatics Center shall have a seating capacity of 2,000.

“We will also build around 1,000 units from single occupants up to four-sharing dormitory type and 2,000 to 3,000 dorm types or service apartments for the accommodation of athletes, coaches and tourists,” he added.

Moreover, training centers, world-class gym, sports clinics and specialized facilities will be constructed.

“This is a great investment for human development because sports is in line with the anti-drug campaign of President Duterte. People, especially the young ones, want to be active so we have to give them the alternative activities, aspiration, training, facilities and opportunities through teamwork and discipline,” Cayetano explained.

He stressed that the sports facilities are not just for the upcoming SEA Games but to show support in the development of sports industry.

“We want to market the Philippines as a training center for various sports like baseball and football which are big for commercial and international leagues. Our goal is to attract people that will use the facilities all year-round,” Cayetano added.

Aside from Clark, other venues for SEAG 2019 include Subic and Bulacan.

New Clark City, Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s most ambitious project to date, is a new metropolis that will rise within the Clark Special Economic Zone, in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac.

It is envisioned to be the country’s first and only smart and green city, which will feature mixed-use real estate developments, an agro-industrial park, and a food processing terminal.