PSC to hasten gear-up for SEAG hosting

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez vowed that the SEA Games will turn up a notch with two months left before the start. PSC (file photo)

By Dugout Philippines

MANILA—The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) vowed to ramp up its preparation with barely two months left before the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the agency is now working doubly-hard to expedite the procurement of sports equipment and finish the sports facilities under its management in preparation for the biennial meet set from Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

The government allotted a total of PHP6 billion for the staging of the Games.

Half of this amount goes to the procurement of sports equipment, which will also go through the Department of Budget and Management in accordance to the accounting rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA).

Ramirez admitted that time is running out, but they would still make sure to expedite the process with the help of COA so that the equipment of all 56 sports would be purchased as soon as possible.

“I was given the marching order by our President to come up with a successful SEA Games hosting,” said Ramirez, who also serves as chief of mission of Team Philippines.

“We are embracing all these challenges because we know that this is a national endeavor and the pride of the country is on the line. We would do everything to make sure that we would have a memorable and successful hosting of the Games.”

The last time the country hosted the SEA Games was in 2005.

Ramirez, who was also the PSC chairman at that time, also served as the chief of mission, leading the national squad to the overall crown with 113 gold, 84 silver and 94 bronze medals.

It was the first time for the country to win the overall title and Ramirez is leaving no stone unturned in duplicating the same feat.

“We are now entering the final two months of our preparation and this is the perfect time for us to show our unity and collaboration,” Ramirez said.

“The PSC cannot do it alone. The entire nation should rally behind our athletes and inspire them to deliver their best performance.”

A total of 22 sports will be held in Manila while 16 will be in Clark, 12 in Subic, two in Tagaytay City and one in Batangas and in La Union.

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