PHISGOC ready to adjust SEA Games events amid Tisoy threat

The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) on Monday said contingency plans are in place for the biennial meet events that will be affected by Typhoon Tisoy.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said intermittent heavy rains are likely over Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

The state weather bureau also raised Signal No. 2 over Metro Manila and Pampanga, which are some of the venue clusters of the multi-sporting event.

"[C]ontingency plans have been in place a long time ago. There's an operating policy for all competition and venue managers, including technical delegates in case there are typhoons, cancellations and delays," PHISGOC chief operating officer Ramon Suzara said in a press briefing at the World Trade Center.

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Suzara added he already instructed suppliers of the venues, especially outdoor sports, to put down tents in advance.

"Everything's set, full contingency, all venues. All competition managers, technical delegates are ready," he said.

Suzara also emphasized that there will be no extension of the Games.

A change in format or going through the games without the presence of a crowd are among those the committee will consider if ever scheduled events are affected by the typhoon. 

"Tuloy ang laro, there's teams and technical officials, but without the viewing public. So as long as the category of the typhoon is still manageable, (it will continue)," he said.

"There's no extension. There's always a solution by the technical delegates and to talk to all the participating teams on the possible realignment of the competition format," he added.

But should strong winds and heavy rains occur during the course of the Games, Suzara said interruption of some of the scheduled events might happen.

"If it's really strong, we have to cancel the matches or postpone or delay. But anyway, everything has been placed," he clarified.

The SEA Games officially opened on Saturday at the Philippine Arena.

The biennial meet will run until December 11. —JST, GMA News