GMA okays release of P100-M for SEAG

Malacañang guaranteed a glitch-free participation by the country’s athletes in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, which officially fires off tomorrow with the release of P100 million fund to the Philippine Sports Commission Tuesday.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain thanked President Arroyo for putting sports among her priorities despite the Chief Executive’s busy schedule. He also said Mrs. Arroyo’s wished the 445 athletes taking part in the Games in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh good luck.

The President expressed the belief the Philippine contingent would bring home at least 40 gold medals, Buhain said.

He quoted Mrs. Arroyo as saying: "Let us all wish our athletes the best as they campaign for the glory of our nation. I firmly believe in the Filipino athletes’ capability to rise above every trial and the Vietnam SEA Games would be our avenue to prove our excellence."

"Now that there are no more hitches to our campaign, our focus should be on winning the medals we all want to bring home and deliver for the greater glory of the Philippines. We thank the President for making sports as one of her priorities and also all the stakeholders who had helped the PSC by pitching in funds for the athletes’ training prior to the Vietnam Games,"he said.

Buhain said the President’s fund in comprised of P60 million from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) while an additional P40 million came from the Department of Budget and Management.

"The released of this fund is very timely as the athletes are now all set to compete in Vietnam," Buhain said.

The main bulk of the contingent arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday and were dispersed to their respective hotels before the official start of the Games on Friday. Some of our athletes, including the archers who are doing well in their events, have also started their campaigns even before the opening of the Games.

According to Buhain, P55 million of the President’s fund will be used to finance the athlete’s actual participation in the two Vietnam cities, where they are housed in 28 various hotels near the sporting venues.

Bulk of the budget would go to airfare and board and lodging of the 654-member delegation, including allowances.

Equipment required by the National Sports Associations will also cost government P35 million while the remaining P10 million will be used to finance the participation of the 65-member contingent to the Asian Para-Games, set soon after the end of the regular SEAG, as well as logistical and operational requirements for one secretariat group each in two cities, including Manila.

Also to fall under the expenses are in-land transportation, communication and medical supplies.