Philippine organizers will hold most of the events in Luzon to host delegates from 11 member countries when the 2019 Southeast Asian Games is hosted by the Philippines
Foreign Affairs secretary Allan Peter Cayetano, who accepted the as the chairman of the SEA Games Organizing Committee 2019, said the games will be spread out in Manila, Bulacan, Subic Bay and Clark Field in Pampanga.
Cayetano finalized his role in the Games following an initial meeting on Wednesday evening with Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.
He expressed his excitement at the prospect of having the Games held here during a press conference on Thursday at Marriot Hotel.
Talks on how the Games will be organized are in progress.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri used to hold the post of organizing committee chairman, but he gave way to Cayetano following a consultation the two had during last Tuesday’s Cabinet cluster meeting.
The decision to proceed with the hosting was reached after a meeting between Cayetano, Ramirez, Presidential Special Assistant Bong Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Ramirez expressed that the PSC Board of Commissioners composed of Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Arnold Agustin and Charles Maxey, welcomed the development and unanimously approved the decision at their board meeting on Wednesday.
“As a former athlete and coach, I do not look at medals as a standard of winning. The teamwork, unity, cooperation and Filipino spirit is the real victory for me,” remarked Ramirez.
During the announcement, Cojuangco said that “the SEAG is not only for Sec. Cayetano or Ramirez, this is for the whole country,” adding that he is very happy that we can finally proceed with preparations for the said event.
“There will always be something that divides us,” commented Cayetano citing that we have the Filipino spirit that binds and unites each one.
The POC shall confirm the hosting when they meet with the SEAG Federation Council on August 18.
It will be recalled that the government, through the PSC, decided not to pursue the hosting saying that there are plans to use the budget for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and other areas in Mindanao. Randy Caluag