The historic tripartite agreement was finally signed with the hope of a smooth-sailing and corruption-free hosting of 30th Southeast Asian Games slated from 30 November to 11 December.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc. head Ramon Suzara led the signing of the agreement that cleared the role of each stakeholder for the 11-nation biennial meet.

The PSC, under Ramirez who is also the chief of mission of the SEA Games, will take responsibility of the finances, technical and logistical support of the Filipino athletes competing in the meet where 56 sports and 530 events will be played.

The POC, as the original franchisee of the SEA Games, will monitor the performance of the obligation of the Phisgoc, including the expenses, sponsorships, donations and liquidations of the funds that will be coming in for the event.

The POC will also man the technical aspects of the Games in accordance to the mandate given by the SEA Games Federation Council, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Phisgoc, which was the main reason why the preparation was stalled as majority of the previous POC executive board questioned its legitimacy, will be in charge of the preparations, organizations, management and execution of the hosting of the Games.

By November, we will have our official test events and it will be of full service like the timing (of the events), lighting, catering.

Interestingly, it was Suzara’s name that appeared as signatory of Phisgoc and not Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was appointed by former POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco to assemble an ad hoc committee that will organize the country’s hosting of the biennial meet.

“It’s always beautiful to think that there’s a strong collective activity among the people whatever that transpired in the journey,” said Ramirez, adding that chunk of the P6.5-billion budget will be finally released following the signing of the tripartite deal.

“Let’s face it, despite the very strict condition this is historic and we want to take care of our athletes who are the heart and soul of the SEA Games.”

The PSC allotted P1.2 billion for the foreign exposure and equipment that the athletes will be needing to come up with a better performance in the country’s fourth hosting of this prestigious 11-nation multi-sport conclave.

Tolentino, who was elected president last 28 July, said the agreement they signed was also for the Paralympic Games and the preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Although a little bit late but we are now ready not only for the SEA Games but also the Paralympics and this is the beginning of the challenge going to Tokyo 2020,” said the POC chief, who is also the president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines.

POC secretary general Atty. Edwin Gastanes said the POC was satisfied with the content of the tripartite agreement and with the meet that is barely four months from now, it’s time for everybody to move forward.

Suzara, meanwhile, said the New Clark City, which will be the main hub of centerpiece event athletics and the medal-rich swimming, is way ahead of schedule and there will be a sports rehearsal for Filipino tracksters and swimmers on 27 August.

“By November, we will have our official test events and it will be of full service like the timing (of the events), lighting, catering among others,” Suzara said. “We’re way ahead of schedule.”

The PSC commissioners and members of the POC executive board were also present during the signing of the tripartite agreement, which according to Ramirez should had been done before, but preparations hit a snag when POC, under Ricky Vargas, formed the Phisgoc Foundation without the approval of the board.