Palace to release P200M for SEAG — Obet

Malacañang is expected to release a whopping P200 million to the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee and help ensure that preparations for the country’s hosting of the biennial event would run as smooth as possible.

Philsoc chairman Roberto Pagdanganan, who graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Seafood Wharf Restaurant in Manila, said Philsoc made the request and is expecting President Arroyo to give the budget department the go-signal "anytime until next week."

The P200 million is only part of the P300 million which the President promised to give Philsoc. Other government funds will come from the different government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government-funded-institutions (GFIs).

The country would need close to a billion pesos to prepare for and host the SEA Games. Pagdanganan said he expects 70 percent of the amount to come from the private sector and the rest from the government.

"It’s very much unlike 1991 when we last hosted the SEA Games. Before, only 20 percent of the expenses were shouldered by the private sector and 80 percent came from the government. Mas malaki ang participation ng private sector ngayon," he said.

Drawing the needed funds from the private sector, Pagdanganan added, is not an easy thing to do although he said he’s happy with the way things are going. Among those who have pledged their support are Globe, PLDT, Nestle and the Lucio Tan Group of Companies.

"It’s not really easy because the times are hard," he said.

Pagdanganan said the money would be used for the repair of some sports venues, including those in Metro Manila and provinces like Cebu and Bacolod, the purchase of the needed equipment, and other preparatory measures.

Pagdanganan said Philsoc would need as much as P6 million just for the use of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), which will house the secretariat, operations and media centers for the SEA Games.

"That’s the initial amount that was discussed but we’re trying to convince the PICC to lower the cost. Tatawad tayo," said the former Bulacan governor who’s been negotiating with Central Bank Gov. Rafael Buenaventura.

The Central Bank of the Philippines manages the PICC, which was also used during the 1991 SEA Games but only for a cost of P2 million.

"As the SEA Games draws nearer, we’re more confident that we can raise the needed funds. Preparations are doing well and the athletes are training well. All these will contribute to our successful hosting and it will also enhance our winning the overall crown," Pagdanganan said.

He added that the final ocular inspection of the venues will be done in September when the members of the SEA Games Federation, representing the 11 countries, once again meet in Manila. — Abac Cordero