by Nick Giongco
A whopping P842-million has been approved by the Pagcor to help the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) finance the upgrading of facilities being eyed to host events for the 30th Southeast Asian Games that will take place Nov. 30-Dec. 11.
PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez said the recipient of the Pagcor’s cash windfall would be the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) and Philsports in Pasig, where several key facilities are located.
Ramirez said the RMSC and Philsports have a total of 12 venues that can accommodate SEAG sports, including the 8,000-capacity Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the 5,000-seater Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“These venues will be fully airconditioned,” said Ramirez during the PSA Forum yesterday at the Amelie Hotel in Malate, Manila.
“By September, these would all be finished,” said Ramirez, adding that apart from the competition venues, a fully-equipped medical building is also in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, the PSC said the agency “has a very clear mandate: Support the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Phisgoc.”
“I have instructions to proceed (with the hosting of the SEAG),” he added.
A budget of P5-billion has been earmarked for the running of the SEAG with the Phisgoc taking a lead role but with the PSC and POC watching closely.
