Another place and time

The government, through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is standing firm on its decision to not host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in 2019. Not surprisingly, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) disagrees. Each side has its reasons, but once again, the peculiar binary nature of sports management in the country causes a complication. If you were to look at all the countries that have won Olympic medals, you could draw a line down the middle and separate those whose sports programs are run entirely by the government, and those whose sports are solely with the private sector. In the Philippines, development and funding are in the hands of the government, while selection and training of athletes are in the hands of the private sector (POC).

However, in the hosting of multi-sport events like the Southeast Asian Games, it is the POC that forms the organizing committee and takes the lead. But as the PSC has stated since the new board took office in 2016, it has supervisory and oversight powers whenever public funds are involved. These powers have never really been exercised until now, making an awkward situation even more uncomfortable. Since he first assumed office and even before his board was appointed, chairman Butch Ramirez knew he would have more funds, as the misinterpretation of the National Sports Development Fund Law – and thus the monthly disbursements of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to the PSC – were corrected by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Now, the PSC is getting roughly double the funds it has been receiving since 1992. With this development, Ramirez offered to also double the funding of all national sports associations (NSAs) if – and only if – they presented clear programs and liquidated all previous disbursements from the government.

Therein lies the rub. Apparently, not all NSAs have complied, the PSC is claiming that there are still questions about expenditures from the country’s last hosting of the SEA Games in 2005. That is a secondary reason for the unwillingness for the government to spend on the biennial event once more.

Of course, the POC would like to push in with hosting the SEA Games. It is possible to get sponsorship money from the private sector. But with only two years left, is there time to actually produce a comprehensive feasibility study and ensure the commercial viability of the games? Where will the sports be played? Which sports are going to be included, excluded, added? Where will everybody stay? How will transportation and security be coordinated? Will the national government provide support in terms of immigration, travel tax relief, tourism assistance, or liaising with all the foreign delegations? When can bidding for the hundreds of different needs be done, and will everything be finished in time? Remember, we still have one SEA Games to get through this year.

As always, the technical side of the games will be handled by the national federations for each sport. Officials from the other Southeast Asian countries will merge with their Filipino counterparts, as judging and refereeing must be done by neutral parties. This will add hundreds more visitors to the country. As the PSC has also stated, the venues must be prepared, and the government would much prefer to build than renovate, which makes sense. It will provide a better atmosphere, more inspiring environment, and a new monolith to Philippine sports. But then again, it will also take more time.

Can the private sector successfully stage the SEA Games without the government’s help entirely? No. The resources for immigration, security, traffic, provisions, entertainment and other services. If the private sector does attempt to hold the games in the country, of course the government will help. But to what degree? And wouldn’t a “soft” partnership be riskier and leave us more open to snafus? Would it lead to more finger-pointing if anything goes wrong?

Money is not the question. Preparedness is. The PSC would prefer a brilliantly organized SEA Games at a later date, than one that pushes through, but wherein important details have not been completely ironed out. The phrase “pwede na” (that will do) is not good enough anymore. Cramming used to get us through before. Apparently, the government believes this is no longer the case.

Consider, also, that much of the national leadership hails from Mindanao, from the executive and legislative branches in particular. Therefore, the issue of Marawi, much like the previous bombing in Davao, touches a raw nerve. They expose the entire nation to problems the previous decision-makers from Luzon have never acknowledged. Many have treated Mindanao as another world, but it is a rich, beautiful part of the Philippines that has largely been historically neglected. Decisions like putting off the SEA Games are not just objective, practical ones.

They impact the environment our national leaders grew up in. Marawi is driving distance from Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. The damage, not unlike the devastation dealt to Tacloban and its environs a few years ago, carries a personal meaning to our President, our Speaker, our Senate President. Perhaps for the first time, we are forced to really see Mindanao as equally important to the frequently flooded, typhoon targets in Luzon. And that is a compelling enough reason to say that it may not be time to have the SEA Games yet.

There will always be a time and place for the SEA Games, other countries in the region will not be able to host the games for their own reasons, just as the Philippines has its own. While we mourn what has been happening in Marawi, there is also a commitment to rebuild, stronger than before. Perhaps when all is said and done, hosting the SEA Games in tribute to Marawi rising again will be a more powerful message. At another place and time.