More than 800 million pesos is donated to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in light of the country hosting the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games happening from November to December this year; the money aimed to be used for the renovation of venues for the biennial international sports meet.
PAGCOR chairwoman Andrea Domingo told the PSC, “We are trying to give you as much help as we can,” as the venues PSC manages, specifically the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Track and Football Stadium, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and the PhilSports Arena, are awaiting rehabilitation in preparation for the hosting of 10 other countries.
In response to the donation, PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez stated in delight, “This is a good legacy of PAGCOR that under your watch all three facilities will be rehabilitated at this level. This P800 million is very sentimental for PSC because those have never been rehabilitated in this way.”
Specifically, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Track and Football Stadium will be hosting the football matches, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will be hosting weightlifting and taekwondo, and the PhilSports Arena will be hosting volleyball.
With the efforts of the PSC, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also been working on improving venues in Cavite, Subic, and Clark. In addition, the PhilSports Arena also opened its second Nutrition Hall in Pasig last March.
This is the fourth time that the Philippines is hosting the iconic international competition, winning the most medals overall in the same year of its last hosting in 2005. More than 400 athletes will be present at the games from November 30 to December 11.