Access to main venue won’t be a problem–Phisgoc

The agency in charge of building the main hub of competition for the Southeast Asian Games in New Clark City later this year assured on Tuesday that ample access to the venue would be available for the influx of athletes, officials and spectators.

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) deputy director general Arrey Perez said that among the measures they are taking is the construction of a 12-kilometer access road from Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) straight to New Clark City.

“By the first week of October, we will have a six-lane access road from the nearest link in SCTEx,” said Perez, also the mayor of the Athletes Village and head of security service.

The colorful opening and closing ceremonies, highlights of regional multievents, will be held at the new facility.

Free bus rides from the neighboring towns of Bamban and Capas in Tarlac, and Angeles in Pampanga will also be provided.

Organizers are expecting more than 10,000 athletes to see action in the Games, most of them will be in New Clark City, which will stage 20 events, including main attractions track and field and swimming.

Coaches, officials and spectators are expected to number thrice as much when the Games are held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Infrastructure developer MTD Philippines’ project director Rear Adm. Miguel Rodriguez said the construction of the facilities is “53 percent complete.”

That includes the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium and the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center, as well as the Athletes Village, River Park and bikeways and jogging paths.