POC, Philsoc step up awareness drive

From billboards, streamers, posters to plate numbers.

In a bid to raise more funds and help promote public awareness for this year’s SEA Games, the Philippine Olympic Committee will start issuing commemorative plate numbers the moment it gets the go-signal from the proper authorities.

Jose "Peping Cojuangco, the POC president and chief operating officer of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, is now negotiating with top officials of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the plate numbers.

The plate numbers, Cojuangco added, will be sold to the public with the proceeds to be used by the Olympic body during the SEA Games scheduled No. 27 to Dec. 5.

Similar plate numbers were issued when the country last hosted the biennial meet in 1991.

"Siguro by this week maglalabas na kami ng commemorative plates. Paglabas n’un, we are hoping to raise some funds there by selling it sa ating mga kababayan para makatulong rin sa pagpapalahad nating nitong SEA Games," said Cojuangco.

The commemorative plate numbers will bear the logo of the 23rd SEA Games and six letters or digits as chosen by the bearer. They are expected to boost the public awareness campaign being launched by Philsoc through television, radio and newspaper ads.

Giant billboards will also be put up in the key cities and provinces hosting the 41 different sports, as well as streamers, including those from corporate sponsors, and posters.

An officials website of the coming Games will also help in the campaign by providing vital information to the thousands of foreign athletes, officials and tourists coming over for the duration of the 11-nation event.

Cojuangco also announced Air 21, led by its president Lito Alvarez, as the official courier of the coming SEA Games.