The 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, will stage the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games on 30 November.

Free entrance and more access to events mean more public support for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Senator Bong Go thus suggested to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), to make event tickets in government-owned venues accessible to the public, subject to availability and mechanics.

“Kanina pinag-usapan namin, suggest ko kay House Speaker Alan kung pwedeng gawin namin libre ‘yung ticket sa lahat ng government-owned venues, except katulad ng SM Mall of Asia Arena,” Go said on Thursday.

“Sabi ko kung ano ang pwedeng ilibre baka pwedeng i-libre kaya [I suggested] kay Pangulo na pwedeng ilibre yung iba’t-ibang sports event sa government-owned venues para mag cheer ‘yung mga tao.”

The senator clarified that the government cannot provide free tickets for some sporting events, such as basketball, football and volleyball, that will be held in private venues and where tickets are almost sold out.

Upon consultation with Phisgoc, Go said organizers are amenable with the suggestion.

Tickets for the closing ceremony at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium on 11 December are not yet being sold but some tickets may be issued free of charge. The mechanics will be issued soon.

Go said the President is pushing to make the tickets free to the public.

“Kilala ko si Pangulo. Gusto n’ya libre,” Go said, recounting athletic events in Davao that were free to the public while the President was still the city’s chief executive.

Go also urged the public to participate in SEA Games activities and support Filipino athletes.

“Ini-engganyo ko lahat ng mga Pilipino na magkaisa at manood tayo bilang suporta sa ating mga atleta,” he said.

The 2019 SEA Games officially comes off the wraps this Saturday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, marking the fourth time that the country will host the biennial Games.