SEA Games budget cut by 33 percent
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2019 08:56:39 +0000
Senator leila delima privilige speech about the drug killing held at session hall of senate in pasay city.(photo by ali vicoy)
By Nick Giongco
The country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hit a major roadblock when it was revealed that the Senate slashed the proposed P7.5-billion budget by 33 percent, the Phisgoc (Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee) said yesterday.
Phisgoc chairman Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters during a sponsorship signing at the SM Aura yesterday that from R7.5-billion, the Phisgoc was told to make the most out of a P5-B budget to run the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 sportsfest.
Cayetano lamented the Senate’s move to cut the budget, stressing that if it had been for nobler reason like education or healthcare, he would have understood.
“Kung napunta lang sana sa free education or hospital, it’s going to be more than a privilege for us to support it kahit na mabigat sa organizers na biglang ma-recalibrate losing 33 percent,” said Cayetano, who used to head the Foreign Affairs department.
But instead, the R2.5-B will not be used for that, he said.
“Ang problema is napunta ito sa projects ng mga senador. Unspecified projects ng mga senador,” said Cayetano.
To remedy the problem, Cayetano, alongside the leaders of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) were set to meet with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea at Malacanang on Wednesday.
“Give us a week or 10 days,” said Cayetano, who is joining hands with PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez and POC president Ricky Vargas to help raise at least R1-billion from private and public funds.
The 2019 SEAG will have the New Clark Green City in Capas, Tarlac, and various cities and provinces in Metro Manila and Luzon as competition venues and the Phisgoc is not only attempting to win the overall crown but make a lasting impression.
Phisgoc Executive Director Ramon Suzara said surpassing the staging of previous hosts Singapore and Malaysia as hosts is tops on their agenda.