Palace calls on Government Agencies for 30th SEAG hosting

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and Chef de Mission William Ramirez is in full support with the Office of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte when it initiated the inter-agency meeting in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games facilitated by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea held on Tuesday at the Meeting Room 1 of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

“We’ve had an inter-agency meeting before but this is the first time that we are doing this at this level.” said Ramirez before the start of the meeting.

Medialdea represented the Office of the President encouraging everyone to exceed the expectations of President Duterte for the country’s SEAG hosting this year, “The hosting is only less than 3 months away, we cannot afford to send President Duterte with anything less than perfect. The President puts his hope with us all. Expectations that may only be achieved if we work our hardest with utmost commitment and solid cooperation.” said Medialdea in his speech.

Also present during the inter-agency meeting was Speaker of the House and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizational Committee Inc. Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano.

“I thank everyone here in advance for lending their help for our 30th Southeast Asian Games hosting. It is no longer about PSC, POC or PHISGOC. This is already about Team Philippines.” said Speaker Cayetano speaking to the representatives of around thirty government agencies and bodies during the inter-agency meeting.

Cayetano also thanked President Duterte for his will in helping Philippine sports especially in this moment when the country hopes to pull off the best and biggest SEAG hosting in history.

A total of 530 events in 56 sports will be played during the November 30 to December 11 biennial meet.

“We can get more youth into sports if we give more support. And for this reason, I thank President Duterte for his political will to help sports.” stated Speaker Cayetano.

30 different government agencies attended the one-day event including the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos represented by Director Dimapuno Datu-Ramos Jr., MD-MHA.

“This is the first time that we were invited in this inter-agency meeting and we’re happy about it.” said Datu-Ramos who brought up his concern on serving halal foods during the twelve-day duration of the 30th SEAG.

Also present during the meeting were PSC Commissioners, Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin as well as the Philippine Olympic Committee’s President Abraham Tolentino, Secretary General Edwin Gastanes, Chairman Steven Hontiveros, PHISGOC’s President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara and PHISGOC Executive Director Tom Carrasco.

Agencies which were represented in the meeting were Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as some representatives from different Local Government Unit (LGU) such as Capas, Tarlac, Calatagan, Batangas, Sta.Rosa, Laguna and Angeles City, Pampanga.