By Waylon Galvez
A top official of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) said that the events would not be affected by tropical storm Kammuri which is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Sunday morning.
PHISGOC Chief Operating Officer Tats Suzara
PHISGOC Chief Operating Officer Tats Suzara said that they are prepared for anything that could happen including tropical storm during the 30th SEA Games, which will start Saturday with a grand opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“We have a main operations center in Clark (Pampanga). All decision by management will be decided there, and when I say management, this is composed of all the departments of PHISGOC,” said Suzara in a press briefing Wednesday.
The management of PHISGOC includes the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine National Police, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrationor PAGASA.
According to Suzara, PAGASA provides the PHISGOC with key details about the tropical storm.
“They inform us of the waves, tides and thunder storm on every venue. We are updated by PAGASA,” said Sizara.
POC president Cong. Bambol Tolentino mentioned that top sports officials has anticipated the weather during the early stage of preparation for the biennial meet, that is why it was decided to hold it in an indoor stadium, the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena.
“Pinag-usapan na iyan last year pa, kaya nga sa Philippine Arena gagawin e,” Tolentino said.
As for the competitions, outdoor events will surely be affected by tropical storm although Tolentino said games would only be rescheduled and push through even it’s raining.
“May interruption ng konti, so dagdag lang ng konting logistics. Football lumalaro nga yan ng naulan e, all-weather. Also, may mga drainages yan, mga bagong facilities (at the New Clark City in Tarlac),” he said.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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