Ito ang tiniyak nina Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) Chairman Roberto Pagdanganan, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Eric Buhain at Bacolod City represen-tative Monico Puentevella, ang House Committee on Youth and Sports, na mga panauhin kahapon sa lingguhang PSA Forum sa Manila Pavilion.
"Definitely there’s no cancellation," ani Pagdanganan. "President Arroyo has already issued a directive calling for the maximization of both the government and private sector support."
Ayon kay Pagdanga-nan, puspusan ang kanilang pagpupulong nina Buhain, Puentevella kasama sina POC president Celso Dayrit at Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin upang paliitin ang estimated cost ng hosting na P1 bilyon para sa opening ceremonies, repairs sa mga government sports facilities at actual na pagtatanghal ng 23rd SEA Games na pansamantalang nakatakda sa November 2005.
"We have to trim down everything na makakaya lang natin but it doesn’t mean lowering the quality of the games at tipirin ang preparation ng mga athletes."
"Gusto nating mag-overall champion siyem-pre," ani Pagdanganan, dating Secretary ng Department of Tourism na inatasan ni Pangulong Arroyo na manguna sa malaking proyektong ito. (Ulat ni Carmela V. Ochoa)