MANILA, Philippines – With more or less 40 days to go before the 30^th Southeast Asian Games unfolds to colorful opening rites, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday (21 October 2019) said Philippines is already on it, a hundred percent (100%) ready to roll the red carpet to around 12,000 athletes and sports officials participating in the biennial meet.

“Overall, we’re 100% ready,” Cayetano told reporters during a press conference.

The 30^th edition of SEAG of which the country is hosting the fourth time since its inception in 1959, begins November 30 to December 11, 2019.

Speaker Cayetano is the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Committee (PHISGOC).

He made the statement after making a thorough inspection of playing venues and other preparations for the SEA Games which will have the New Clark City Sports Complex in Tarlac as main hub for games and quarters of athletes and officials alike.

Cayetano said that the sports complex and facilities for the 2019 SEA Games have been finished and are now being used by some athletes.

The Phisgoc chairman however claimed the current challenge now lies on how to ensure smooth conduct of the games in a 12-day massive event where 12,000 athletes and coaches, 1000 international media and 15,000 volunteers are expected to participate.

PHISGOC has been conducting several rehearsals to anticipate possible problems that they might encounter throughout the event.

“Right now, we are in the stage of rehearsing, practicing and meeting. This walk-through is important so that we could anticipate possible problems,” Cayetano said.

“Ang nangyayari ngayon rehearse nang rehearse, practice nang practice, meet nang meet. Yung walkthrough importante kasi hindi mo naman makikita ang problema nang hindi muna dinadaanan…Sa airport lang eh, halos sabay-sabay dadating yung mga delegates. Remember, we have to treat the athletes well at ayaw nating ma-accuse na na-hassle sila kaya naapektuhan ang performance nila,” he added.

Cayetano also admitted that the traffic situation in Metro Manila will be a challenge for PHISGOC, but he assured that the security group is anticipating all the possible problems and is now working on a plan to ensure the convenience of all the participants of the 30^th regional meet.