Free entry to Games except basketball, volleyball, football

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10,000 tickets for most sports events and an additional 15,000 for the closing ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) will be made available to the public free of charge, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announced yesterday.

“We are giving away 10,000 tickets to the public for free upon instructions from President Duterte,” he said.

Cayetano said all competitions where tickets have not been sold out would be open to the public.

“The competitions that are sold out are basketball and volleyball, and football where the Philippine team is playing,” he said.

Cayetano, who chairs the Philippine SEAG organizing committee, added that additionally, tickets would be given to local government units hosting sports events.

In the case of the 15,000 tickets for the closing ceremonies on Dec. 11 at the New Clark City sports center in Capas, Tarlac, Cayetano said there would be distribution centers to be announced later.

He added most of the tickets would be given away to residents of Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan and Metro Manila.

Sen. Christopher Go said he earlier made the suggestion to Cayetano to allow the public watch the events for free.

This is to encourage more local support and attract a bigger local crowd to watch the games, he said. 

Go said that he has suggested allowing the public to watch the games in government-owned venues.

“With the exception of some venues like the SM Mall of Asia (MOA),” Go added. 

Go clarified the government cannot provide free tickets for some sporting events, such as basketball, football and volleyball, as these sports will either be held in private venues or paid tickets are almost sold out. 

Tickets for the closing ceremony of the 30th SEAG to be held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium on Dec. 11 may also be issued to the public, free of charge but subject to availability. 

Go said that the 30th SEAG organizing committee will issue the mechanics for securing tickets to the sports competitions and closing ceremony soon. 

Despite initial blunders, Cayetano promised to make a “very good show of our hosting of the Games.”

“This is going to be a great hosting and you will be very proud of our country and our athletes once the event is finished,” he said.

Cayetano said the opening ceremonies tonight at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan would be full of surprises “with the use of technology.”

He said the lighting of the cauldron in New Clark City, which is about 100 kilometers away from the opening venue, would be among such surprises. 

“Part of the digital world and of being high-tech is having multiple venues. That will be featured in the opening and closing (ceremonies),” he added. - Cecille Suerte Felipe