Solon offers to beef up SEAG fund

In order to support the shoestring budget for the preparation of the Manila Southeast Asian Games in November, Pampanga Rep. Francis Nepomuceno proposed that he will contribute P2 million from his Countrywide Development Funds.

Nepomuceno, chairman of the House committee on civil service and professional regulation, expressed hope that the amount will start the ball rolling in order for the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee to raise more than P250 million to cover the deficit of the P1 billion budget for the regional meet.

The Central Luzon lawmaker said that time is of the essence since the country has only four months to go to finalize the preparations for the SEA Games.

"Everybody must do their share to meet the more than P250 million shortfall of the SEA Games budget. The government and private sectors must join hands and pool their resources to solve the problem," he said.

Nepomuceno said that the country’s pride is at stake at the athletic competition.

"We cannot afford to be ill-prepared for this prestigious event. If that happens, we will be a big embarrassment to our guests who are our neighboring countries," the third term solon said. "I am optimistic that the Filipinos will rise in times of adversity. If more solons will contribute their CDF and the private sector will help, we can surmount the odds."