MANILA, Philippines — Developers assured that facilities at the New Clark City would be ready in time for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year. With nine months to go before the biennial meet — scheduled for November 30 to December 11 — infrastructure developer MTD Philippines and its project partner, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), said construction of the complex is now halfway done, or about 53% completed. Both vowed to finish the construction by August or three months before the
regional meet. “Internally, as Amin August 31 for everything, including the athletes’ housing and government residences. And our deliverable nation a BCDA at October 30, so may safety net na two months,” said MTD Philippines project director Rear Adm. Miguel Rodriguez. The MTD officer was with Arrey Perez, BCDA vice president for business development and deputy director-general of the Philippine Southeast.
Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), during the unique Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum held at Mimosa, Clark on Tuesday, to update the construction of the modern sports complex that will serve as the central hub of the SEA Games. David said the 20,000-seater athletics stadium would be over by June or July at the latest, while the others would be finished earlier. The new sports facilities are part of Phase 1A of
the New Clark City Government Administrative Center (NGAC). It includes the track and field stadium, the 2,000-seater aquatics center, and an Athletes’ Village surrounded by a 1.4-kilometer river park development with bikeways and jogging paths. “Noong ulna parang drawing lang, Pero Ngayon Ayan na, kiting-Kita mona, may katawan na,” said David during the session hosted by the BCDA. “We’re very confident na matatapos it and
deliver a world-class facility for the Filipino people,” Perez assured the country would be well prepared to host the SEA Games, which was last staged in the Philippines in 2005. “Sigurado ‘yan na makakapag-host po kayo ng SEA Games,” said the PHISGOC officer. “Our vision is to have a sports city at the New Clark City Kasi napakalaki for Ryan,” he added. “Ang gusto naming tumbling for the rebirth of Philippine sports.” He also mentioned the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) ‘s role as a significant partner in developing and maintaining the sports facilities constructed by the BCDA in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac. There are 56 sports to be played by nearly 10,000 athletes from 11 countries. The 11 states are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
