Ramirez says PH close to 100% ready for hosting

With barely three months left, organizers have been working overtime to meet the competition requirements of the 56 sports to be played in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Team Philippines chef de mission and Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez on Tuesday presided over an inventory and assessment meeting of all working committees to ensure that the Games would smoothly proceed trouble-free.

“We have to assess the status of our preparations for the country’s hosting. We have to find out what was already done and what still needs to be done,” said Ramirez during gathering at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Ramirez explained the need to fast-track the procurement of competition equipment and spruce up the venues before the Nov. 30 opening of the 11-nation event.

“Based on our assessment, we are now 85-90 percent ready. We just have to complete the equipment requirements and set up the competition venues properly,” said Ramirez.

The PSC has been carefully handling the budgetary allotment for the Games as disbursements must be done strictly in compliance with government and Commission on Audit rules and regulations.

Ramirez said inputs and vital information gathered during Tuesday’s meeting would be evaluated by top officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee and the PSC on Wednesday.