|
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Arroyo committed to Seag success
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose Cojuangco to take the lead role in tandem with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in ensuring a successful hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag) on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
President Arroyo also said she will not give more than the P300 million she earlier pledged to Philsoc. The Department of Budget and Management already released the initial P100 million last month.
“But she also instructed to approach other government agencies,” said Cojuangco.
Commitment
The President said the success of the country’s third hosting of the Seag is a commitment of her government to all the 11 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), whose 5,340 athletes will collide for the 441 golds at stake in the biennial meet.
“Sports is one of the things everyone can do together, a universal undertaking that can translate into peace, unity and understanding. We Filipinos must forge our identity on these objectives from every point of view and from every different opinion,” Arroyo said in a press statement yesterday.
Arroyo’s announcement came after a meeting with Cojuangco, PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella and other sports officials in Malacañang last Monday.
Philsoc CEO
In line with the president’s instruction, Cojuangco assumed the position of chief executive officer (CEO), while Ramirez took over the chief operating officer (COO) post in the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc), tasked to oversee preparations for the meet.
Former Tourism secretary Roberto Pagdanganang retained his post as chairman and will continue to preside over Philsoc’s board of trustees, also composed of Cojuangco as vice chairman and IOC representative Frank Elizalde, Puentevella, Robert Aventajado, POC chairman Celso Dayrit and Stephen Hontiveros as members. (FCC)
(August 10, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
