The Philippine national team will set up three offices in Thailand for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December.

Chief of mission Dr. Raul Canlas told DAILY TRIBUNE that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will have offices in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla to make sure all the delegates will be attended to once the prestigious biennial meet officially starts 9 December.

“We will set up the POC PSC NOC (national Olympic committee) offices in Bangkok Chonburi and Songhkla. Each would also have fully staffed medical teams with their own transport,” Canlas said in a text message after his meeting with various national sports association leaders last Tuesday.

“We will set up travel schedules and money on hand for medical and possible protests. The local organizing committee will not pay for any medical bills.”

Canlas also bared that the entire Philippine delegation will have its sendoff rites on 28 November. Players from polo and football will be the first to compete.

With around 1,600 athletes competing this year, the Philippines looks to break the 60-gold medal mark in Thailand.

Stars such as Alex Eala of tennis, Ernest John Obiena of pole vault, Kayla Sanchez of swimming and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of Weightlifting will banner the Filipino athletes’ bid in this year’s SEA Games.

The Philippines finished in fifth place in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia with 58 golds, 85 silvers and 117 bronze medals.