PSC gets full control of P7-billion Southeast Asian Games budget

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez yesterday said the government sports body is ready to take a more active role in the preparations for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosting after the Senate put the P7.5 billion warchest under its direct management.

Ramirez, who serves as co-chair to Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chairman Alan Peter Cayetano along with Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, said the Upper House took the PSC to task for the handling of the budget for the staging of the biennial games this November and December.

“I will actively participate for the success of the SEA Games,” Ramirez said in a presscon. “Makikialam ako from the ED (executive director) down the line because after all, kami ang magre-release ng pera and we will assure you that all government procurement, government accounting rules will be followed and we will seek the advice of COA (Commission on Audit) and other auditing firms.”

The PSC chief maintained that preparations for the 11-nation event are on track, even as the rehab of existing venues and construction of the main hub at New Clark City have yet to be completed and equipment for the games proper yet to be delivered.

“Philsgoc is working fine,” said Ramirez.”If you ask the question are we on time? The very critical time is up to September so we’re safe to say we’re doing fine,” he said. 

Ramirez said his particular focus will be on making sure the venues will be ready and the equipment are on hand.

“The venues are very critical. As such, I delegated a lot of my job to the commissioners and directors so I will be focusing on the SEA Games preparations,” he said. 

“As for the equipment, we call on the NSAs who have not submitted their requests to do so now before we get affected by the election ban barring us from releasing funds.”

He lamented that only 25 NSAs have filed their requests worth over P100 million as of the PSC’s November 2018 deadline but some 31 more have yet to do so. Ramirez said the requests on file is already being processed.

“Dapat madaliin ang delivery ng equipment at maayos ang venue,” he said.