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Friday, August 19, 2005
Guardo upset: Bacolod gets P50M; none for Cebu
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
The way things are going the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PhilSoc) maybe playing favorites.
While Bacolod City has been assured P40 million from PhilSoc and P10 million from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) has to take care of the more than P10 million budget for the games to be held in Cebu.
“It is unfair on our part because we have been requesting for financial assistance (from PhilSoc) but there has been no commitment yet,” said CebuSoc chairman Jonathan Guardo. “Bacolod got it without even a second thought.
Not yet released
“But we’re not asking more than what we need. Our budget is only for operations and we don’t need money for venue repairs unlike Bacolod, (whose facilities) really need major renovations.”
Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella, a former PSC commissioner and currently the Philippine Weightlifting Association president, reportedly confirmed the budget was approved but denied the money has been released.
Bacolod needs to repair privately-owned venues such as the University of St. La Salle Gym and West Negros College Gym and the Paglaum Stadium, which will host football, traditionally the centerpiece event of the Seag. Bacolod will also host volleyball, boxing and weightlifting.
No help
Cebu’s venues, on the other hand, have already undergone major renovations without the help of PhilSoc or PSC. The University of San Carlos spent P2 million to repair its gym, while the Mandaue City Government shelled out P1.7 million to refurbish the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
“But since it is a privilege that we were given a share of the Seag hosting, which only comes once in every 20 years, we might as well use the best of what we have. Let’s make the most of it and try our best to give our guests the best,” said Guardo.
Cebu will host dancesport, judo, sepak takraw, pencat silat, mountainbike and karatedo.
“The problem with Cebu is that you don’t have clout inside PhilSoc. Bacolod has (PSC commissioner) Ritchie Garcia and Monico Puentevella,” a Manila sportswriter told Sun.Star Cebu.
Miracle
For his part, Manila Sports Council (Masco) chairman Arnold “Ali” Atienza said PhilSoc should afford Cebu what it gave to Bacolod.
“The way I see it, Cebuanos are just too kind. Cebu is the only hub that is ready for the games. Not even PhilSoc itself is ready for the Seag,” Atienza said.
With barely three months left, Atienza believes that PhilSoc needs a miracle to be able to host the Seag successfully.
(August 19, 2005 issue)
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