Sorry for athletes' inconveniences, says Panelo
Published Nov 24, 2019 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling and Dhel Nazario
The Office of the President has extended its apology for the inconvenience endured by the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes, saying it was “unintentional.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government cannot guarantee the SEA Games would "run without a hitch" but promised to ensure a pleasant stay for the visitors in the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Incidents of delays in transport and checking-in at hotels happen in international sports and games by reason of the number of countries and athletes involved. We can no longer undo what has been done,” Panelo said in a statement.
"The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” he added.
He noted that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) has also apologized to the athletes of Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and Cambodia for the inconvenience they experienced upon arrival in the country.
"What is more important and more pressing is PHISGOC has committed to do better in ensuring proper coordination from the arrival of the athletes to their transportation and hotel accommodations," he said.
The regional sports tournament hit a snag after football teams from the three countries reportedly encountered problems with transport and hotel arrangements. Others have also reported complaints about the insufficient food and water provisions in the hotel.
The inconvenience of the athletes came amid the controversial construction of a multimillion-peso stadium cauldron that will bear the SEA Games flame.
So far, Panelo said there has been no report of any incident jeopardizing the athletes' safety and health.
"We are not promising that the Games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries, but we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive, and memorable stay in the Philippines," he said.
"We wish all the participating athletes good luck and look forward to their excellent and hopefully world record breaking performances!" he added.
Earlier, President Duterte wished good luck to all the athletes in the Southeast Asian Games in the country.
"I wish them all the luck and my fervent prayers go with it," the President said in a media interview in Davao City Saturday.
Appeal for cooperation
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is appealing for the cooperation of the public with the various traffic schemes that will be implemented by the agency during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which is expected to cause traffic and delay in Metro Manila.
Instead of dedicated lanes for athletes participating in the SEA Games, stop-and-go schemes will be implemented along EDSA and major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to allow convoys of delegates, sports officials, athletes, spectators, and other guests from hotels where they are billeted to the sports venues and other areas of engagements to pass through.
The traffic adjustments will be implemented from November 30 to December 11 at various areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Expect delays on roads toward the sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.
The MMDA will be deploying 2,000 traffic personnel in key areas in the metropolis to help manage traffic flow. On EDSA alone, 122 traffic enforcers will be deployed every 100 meters away.
“We are on track with our traffic preparations. We ask for motorists’ and commuters’ cooperation in giving way to the convoys of the athletes and delegates participating in the event our country is hosting,” said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.
Convoys carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyovers and underpasses while traveling along EDSA.
Occasional traffic disruption and temporary stops are expected on roads and intersections where convoys would pass.
Days before the event, arriving delegates will travel from the airport in Pasay City to their hotels in cities of
Manila, Pasig, Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City in Metro Manila areas in Central and Southern Luzon; and from the airport to the regional venues in Clark, Subic, and Southern Luzon.
The MMDA and Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit shall implement road closure on the following roads from 12:01 am on November 30 to December 11.
• Along Adriatico - from Pres Quirino to P. Ocampo (both directions).
• Along P. Ocampo – from Taft Ave. to Adriatico (westbound direction only).
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes:
• All vehicles coming from Taft Ave. taking the westbound lane of Pres. Quirino intending to turn left on Adriatico St. shall go straight to Roxas Blvd or Mabini St. to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Taft Ave intending to use the westbound lane of P. Ocampo shall use Menlo St. then Donada to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Roxas Blvd or FB Harrison utilizing eastbound lane of P. Ocampo intending to use Adriatico St. shall go straight to Taft Ave to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Roxas or FB Harrison using the eastbound lane of Pres. Quirino intending to use Adriatico St. shall go straight to Taft Ave to point of destination.
The Sea Games opening ceremonies will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on November 30, Saturday, where a big crowd is expected to parade their delegations. On this day, delegates will start travelling from Metro Manila to Philippine Arena in the afternoon.
Point-to-point buses have been designated to transport spectators and guests to the Philippine arena to avoid traffic congestion. The agency shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games.
Other SEA Games Clusters where traffic congestion is expected are Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and others. The MMDA’s preparation is in coordination with the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), PNP, LGUs, government agencies and stakeholders.
The closing ceremonies will be at the Athletics Stadium at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
READ MORE: SEAG football teams encounter problems upon arrival, SEA Games: Thailand Football Association complains about repeated, limited food ration
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Incidents of delays in transport and checking-in at hotels happen in international sports and games by reason of the number of countries and athletes involved. We can no longer undo what has been done,” Panelo said in a statement.
"The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” he added.
He noted that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) has also apologized to the athletes of Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and Cambodia for the inconvenience they experienced upon arrival in the country.
"What is more important and more pressing is PHISGOC has committed to do better in ensuring proper coordination from the arrival of the athletes to their transportation and hotel accommodations," he said.
The regional sports tournament hit a snag after football teams from the three countries reportedly encountered problems with transport and hotel arrangements. Others have also reported complaints about the insufficient food and water provisions in the hotel.
The inconvenience of the athletes came amid the controversial construction of a multimillion-peso stadium cauldron that will bear the SEA Games flame.
So far, Panelo said there has been no report of any incident jeopardizing the athletes' safety and health.
"We are not promising that the Games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries, but we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive, and memorable stay in the Philippines," he said.
"We wish all the participating athletes good luck and look forward to their excellent and hopefully world record breaking performances!" he added.
Earlier, President Duterte wished good luck to all the athletes in the Southeast Asian Games in the country.
"I wish them all the luck and my fervent prayers go with it," the President said in a media interview in Davao City Saturday.
Appeal for cooperation
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is appealing for the cooperation of the public with the various traffic schemes that will be implemented by the agency during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which is expected to cause traffic and delay in Metro Manila.
Instead of dedicated lanes for athletes participating in the SEA Games, stop-and-go schemes will be implemented along EDSA and major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to allow convoys of delegates, sports officials, athletes, spectators, and other guests from hotels where they are billeted to the sports venues and other areas of engagements to pass through.
The traffic adjustments will be implemented from November 30 to December 11 at various areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Expect delays on roads toward the sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.
The MMDA will be deploying 2,000 traffic personnel in key areas in the metropolis to help manage traffic flow. On EDSA alone, 122 traffic enforcers will be deployed every 100 meters away.
“We are on track with our traffic preparations. We ask for motorists’ and commuters’ cooperation in giving way to the convoys of the athletes and delegates participating in the event our country is hosting,” said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.
Convoys carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyovers and underpasses while traveling along EDSA.
Occasional traffic disruption and temporary stops are expected on roads and intersections where convoys would pass.
Days before the event, arriving delegates will travel from the airport in Pasay City to their hotels in cities of
Manila, Pasig, Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City in Metro Manila areas in Central and Southern Luzon; and from the airport to the regional venues in Clark, Subic, and Southern Luzon.
The MMDA and Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit shall implement road closure on the following roads from 12:01 am on November 30 to December 11.
• Along Adriatico - from Pres Quirino to P. Ocampo (both directions).
• Along P. Ocampo – from Taft Ave. to Adriatico (westbound direction only).
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes:
• All vehicles coming from Taft Ave. taking the westbound lane of Pres. Quirino intending to turn left on Adriatico St. shall go straight to Roxas Blvd or Mabini St. to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Taft Ave intending to use the westbound lane of P. Ocampo shall use Menlo St. then Donada to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Roxas Blvd or FB Harrison utilizing eastbound lane of P. Ocampo intending to use Adriatico St. shall go straight to Taft Ave to point of destination.
• All vehicles coming from Roxas or FB Harrison using the eastbound lane of Pres. Quirino intending to use Adriatico St. shall go straight to Taft Ave to point of destination.
The Sea Games opening ceremonies will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on November 30, Saturday, where a big crowd is expected to parade their delegations. On this day, delegates will start travelling from Metro Manila to Philippine Arena in the afternoon.
Point-to-point buses have been designated to transport spectators and guests to the Philippine arena to avoid traffic congestion. The agency shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games.
Other SEA Games Clusters where traffic congestion is expected are Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and others. The MMDA’s preparation is in coordination with the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), PNP, LGUs, government agencies and stakeholders.
The closing ceremonies will be at the Athletics Stadium at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
READ MORE: SEAG football teams encounter problems upon arrival, SEA Games: Thailand Football Association complains about repeated, limited food ration