Let’s talk about SEAG expenses later – Cayetano
Credit to Author: Divina Nova Joy Dela Cruz| Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2019 16:14:03 +0000
House Speaker and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano appealed to critics to talk about the expenses on the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) after the event and instead focus on working together for Filipino pride at the moment.
Sen. Franklin Drilon earlier lamented that the P55-million cauldron for the games was “extravagant” and that it could have been used to build 56 classrooms instead. Critics have also commented that the Phisgoc could have opted for cheaper options.
Cayetano has explained that the cauldron is a work of art and that safety measures suggested by engineers were also followed.
Cayetano asked the opposition and the critics to suspend questions on the structures and expenses for the said the structures as they have already been made.
“So hindi ko talaga malaman anong klaseng ceasefire at anong klaseng tulong ang gustong gawin ng oposisyon dito sa SEA Games eh lahat ‘yan gawa na eh (So I don’t know understand what kind of ceasefire or help the opposition is doing for the SEA Games, all of those had been completed),” Cayetano said in an interview with reporters.
Cayetano said he would be open to respond to questions on expenses after the the event.
“Hindi ba pwedeng December 12, 13, 14 kahit na hanggang matapos ang mundo, hanggang magunaw na ang mundo, doon na natin pag-usapan? But between now and the games hindi ba it’s about Filipino pride (Can’t we talk about it instead on Dec, 12, 13, 14 — until the end of the world? But between now and the games, isn’t it about Filipino pride?),” Cayetano said.
“That’s why ‘yun ang hamon ko sa mga kritiko, timing lang (my challenge to critics is right timing). You’ll have your day, I’ll appear wherever you want me to appear whether in a formal or informal setting because ang utos ng Pangulo (because that’s the order of the President), full transparency,” Cayetano said.
Praise for national athletes
Meanwhile, Cayetano praised the national athletes for their readiness to participate in the biennial meet.
“Ang athletes natin, 100 percent. (Our athletes are 100 percent ready).” “Hindi naman 100 percent ‘yung facilities. Hindi naman 100 percent ‘yung allowance. Yet, they found a way to train, so, as far as our athletes and medal count, I’m very confident. We just have to pray for them — no injuries — and that they’ll be at their best,” he said.
Cayetano vowed the SEAG opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan and the lighting of the cauldron will be world class.
“Nine days to go, can I let it remain a surprise? But let me assure you it is one of the highlights of the opening ceremonies. The opening is not only symbolic, it really dictates the tone and the momentum of the game,” Cayetano said.
WITH REPORT FROM JOSEF T. RAMOS