Philsoc pledges to help Cebu

The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) yesterday assured officials of Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee of its full support in obtaining a P10 million financial assistance from the government for the staging of six events in Cebu City.

CebuSoc chairman Jonathan Guardo, together with CebuSoc members Cheryl Ouano (Mandaue City), Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez Jr. (Danao City) and Allan Torrevillas (Cebu City), met with Philsoc COO and POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. and PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez yesterday to voice their concern over the refurbishing of the venues and the actual staging of the SEAG events in the city.

Also present during the two-hour conference at the Philsoc office located inside the Philippine International Convention Center along Roxas Boulevard were Robert Aventajado and Steve Hontiveros of the POC, PSC commissioner Ritchie Garcia and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella.

"Generally it was a very productive meeting. We have already sent a letter to Malacañang requesting for a P10 million financial assistance and the Philsoc officials assured us that they will help us with our request," said Guardo.

He said Puentevella admitted that there is indeed a financial aid intended for the renovation of facilities and equipment of the different venues in Bacolod City that will be used in the Games, but the Bacolod solon clarified the money comes from the national government and not from Philsoc.

"Monico (Puentevella) admitted it’s true that there’s a financial assistance given to Bacolod City, but it came from the national government and not from Philsoc. Philsoc has no money so if Cebu could get financial support, it will come from Malacañang," said Guardo.

He also that Puentevella and Garcia have been designated by Philsoc to oversee the preparations being undertaken by Cebu and Bacolod as satellite venues of the biennial sports conclave set from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

"So if we have problems or other concerns, everything will be directed to Puentevella and Garcia," said Guardo.

Ouano, who is also the Mandaue City Sports and Development Commission chairperson, meanwhile, lauded the Philsoc’s decision to address Cebu’s financial concerns involving the Games.

"I’m happy that everything is now clear and already settled. Hopefully, Philsoc will help us. As I’ve said earlier, we’re not after the money because the LGUs can afford to shoulder the expenses of the delegates. What we’re trying to point out is for the concerned agency to be fair in allocating financial support," said Ouano.

Cebu is tasked to host six events in the 11-nation athletic meet. These are the dancesport and pencak silat at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, karatedo and judo at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, sepak takraw at the University of San Carlos-Main gym and mountainbike in Danao City. — Emmanuel Villaruel, Freeman News Service