Procurement of SEA Games equipment, PH organizers’ ‘biggest concern’
MANILA - With less than 3 months to go before the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games open, the acquisition of majority of equipment needed for the competition must be addressed immediately, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chief said on Friday.
“Our biggest concern is the procurement of equipment, so we are giving ourselves up to Monday to solve the issue,” PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said during a meeting with leaders of various national sports federations.
Those federations forwarded 61 requests for a number of equipment vital to run the events, but only 18 have been approved via the bidding process conducted by the PSC.
Officials who attended the meeting, which was closed to the media, did not say which requests were confirmed or pending.
Transportation, the ticketing system, the billeting of delegates, and venue management were also discussed, although specifics were not mentioned to the media.
Ramirez touched on possible venue concerns, as he instructed sports officials to formulate a Plan B if needed.
“We have 77 days left. We have to find a very good solution in case a venue cannot host a particular sport. There should be quick alternatives,” he said, but did not elaborate.
The SEA Games open on November 30 in Bulacan.
Ramirez, the national delegation head for the SEA Games, characterized the purchase of equipment as pressing.
“This is like sprinting in a 100-meter dash. We have no more time. If there are shortcomings, the PSC will fill in the gaps,” he said.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the chief SEA Games organizer who attended the meeting, said his group will appoint a person who can help in the procurement.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and other key local sports leaders were also present.
Cayetano said, “Right now, then on November 30, dalawa lang naman choice natin — (to be) together and be successful, or not work together and be unsuccessful.”
As much as P600 million has been earmarked to obtain the equipment for use in different sports. ABS-CBN News