New body to head ’19 SEAG hosting
The country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will have to begin with the incorporation of the organizing committee to be headed by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) of 2005 will have to give way to a new body that will consist of new members with the old task of ensuring a smooth staging of the Games.
“It can’t be the same corporation as Philsoc. It has to be incorporated under a new name with new board members,” said Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Jose Romasanta.
The organizing committee will enter into various contracts with different government agencies as well as the private sector, and the incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a must.
“The committee will be receiving money from the government and the private sector,” added Romasanta, who said Zubiri at the helm of the organizing committee ensures strong government presence.
“In effect, President Duterte is the head of the organizing committee. And we have Sen. Zubiri representing the President,” added the POC vice president.
Zubiri, chairman of Arnis Philippines and honorary chairman of the Philippine Karatedo Federation, sat down with POC president Jose Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission officials.
Those who attended the meeting agreed to review and revisit the structure of the 2005 hosting and learn from the experience.
Cojuangco, who headed the Philsoc of 2005, welcomed Zubiri’s appointment, and said he expects another meeting with the 49-year-old legislator as soon as possible.
“There are a lot of things to be done. First, we need to determine the venue of the Games. I’ve suggested Davao as main venue,” said Cojuangco.
While Davao can serve as main hub, other events may be held in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Pampanga and Zambales.
Depending on the availability of facilities, the committee can then decide on the number of sports and events it can hold, and the number of foreign visitors it can handle.