TARLAC Governor Susan Yap, together with the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano recently inspected the ongoing construction of the world-class sports facilities at the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas town which is now in full swing and will be completed in time for the country’s hosting of the 30th South East Asia (SEA) Games late next year.
The group expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction and is confident that the facilities will be completed ahead of the scheduled games.
“It’s [construction] is on the right track. We can all be proud of the facilities once they are finished,” Yap said.
The facilities being constructed include a 20,000 seating capacity athletic stadium, 2,000 seating capacity aquatics center and a 525-unit athletes’ village in which 95 are specifically intended for persons with disabilities. The village also has an amenities gym, library and conference rooms in each floor, kitchen and dining area, basketball court, swimming pool and deck of gardens.
Vivencio Dizon, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive officer, said that construction of a nine-kilometer, four-lane Subic-Clark-Tarlac-MacArthur Highway Access Road is ongoing.
The construction of a 15-kilometer, six-lane NCC-Clark Freeport Zone Access Road shall commence soon.
“We should be proud that Tarlac province will be a major host in next year’s SEA Games,” Yap said.
The venue will serve as the main hub for athletics and swimming in next year’s biennial regional sports meet. Royalties and dignitaries are expected to visit the country during the event.
Also present during the inspection and installation of composite columns for the Athletic Stadium were 1Pacman Party-List Representative Mikee Romeo, Philippine Olympic Committee President and Philippine Basketball Chairman Ricky Vargas, Representative Rimpy Bondoc of Pampanga and officials of the Philippine Sports Commission. (Ric Sapnu)