PSC exec sees no more serious glitches in SEA Games opening ceremony, beyond

A Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) official on Wednesday expressed confidence that the opening ceremony for the 30th Southeast Asian Games or SEA Games, which the Philippines is hosting, will not be marred by serious glitches.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, however, noted that small glitches are inevitable in international sports events like SEA Games.

“Yes, wala na,” Fernandez said.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

Fernandez agreed with the observation that the problems met so far in connection with the country's hosting of the SEA Games were due to the delayed approval of the budget for the event. The proposed P7.5 million budget, later reduced to P6 billion, has been approved by Congress five months late, according to Fernandez.

He also said Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and PhilSports Arena were not the original venues for some sports events and were just substitutes as the original venues, in Subic and Clark, had failed to meet the international standards.

In August, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) provided P844 million for the SEA Games budget, some of which were used for renovating existing sports facilities that will be used for the event.

“Kung napasa yung national budget before January, hindi magkakaganito ang preparation,” Fernandez said.

The opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA Games is scheduled on Saturday, November 30, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News