The Philippine Sports Commission is all set to closely coordinate with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee in the preparation and organization of the coming SEA Games this November.
As the lead government sports agency, the PSC is expected to take care of the financial aspects of the Games after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Memorandum Circular no. 56, enjoining all government agencies, government-controlled corporations and local government units, to extend their support to the country’s hosting of the Games. The memo, dated Jan. 25, 2019, was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
The agencies are encouraged to help in the preparation, organization and holding of the biennial late this year.
Sources said the memo gives the PHISGOC less responsibilities in its efforts to run and manage the Games, what with the number of government agencies expected to step in to help.
The document also instructed concerned sports associations such as the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to “coordinate and support each other for the effective preparation and successful participation” of the country’s delegates for the SEA Games.
The PSC is also processing the requests for the equipment of many national sports associations, which are preparing for the Games.
So far, the PSC has submitted the documents which detail all the expenses of the Games to the Senate.
They are now waiting for the approval of the P7.5 billion budget for hosting the SEA Games.
With seven months to go, the budget for the Games has not yet been released.
The Philippines will host the Games from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10, with most of the events being held at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, Subic, Bulacan and in Metro Manila.
The opening ceremony goes out of tradition in glitzy rites on Nov. 30 at the 60,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
The role of preparing the national delegations competing in the Games is in the hands of the NSAs and the POC, while the Bases Conversion Development Authority are managing the venues.