SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri will meet with officials of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee on Monday to discuss the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Zubiri has called for the meeting after he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the chairman of the Philippine SEA Games hosting committee for 2019.
Staff members of Mr. Zubiri said the meeting will formalize the country’s efforts to prepare early for the biennial meet.
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said he was informed of Zubiri’s appointment, along with POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco through POC vice president Joey Romasanta.
Ramirez said the POC will operate the newly-formed committee with the assistance of the government.
“The role of Mr. Zubiri is to represent the government, and the government will help run the organizing committee,” said Ramirez.
Details on the hosting and the financial assistance coming from the government will be discussed during the meeting.
Ramirez said the organizing committee will be run by the POC and it will be a collaboration with the government.
He added that the technical aspect of the Games will be left to the POC.
“Malalaman natin ang setup kapag nag-call na ng meeting,” said Ramirez.
So far, the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City are being considered as possible venues for the Games.
Ramirez said the search continues for places where events of the biennial meet can held when the country hosts it two years from now.
Discussions with officials of the Iglesia ni Kristo and with the people at MOA have already taken place.
Ramirez is not sure if Davao del Norte and the city of Davao can be part of the hosting of the Games.