PHIIPPINE Sports Commission Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. yesterday confirmed that only around P1.4 billion was released by the PSC to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee for the 30th Southeast Asian Games last December.
“The disbursements were straight forward and paid for expenses they were allocated for,” Iroy said.
He said that procurement of various equipment and services were made through the Department of Budget Management Procurement Service. Releases were also made out to the Philippine Olympic Committee, which handled the purchase of most sports equipment coming from international and Asian federation accredited suppliers overseas.
Iroy said the PSC made direct payments totaling around P900 million that covered payments for accommodation, sports equipment, transportation, catering, allowances of technical officials, freight forwarding services, and other expenses, as endorsed by Phisgoc.
The PSC issued the confirmation in the wake of a letter sent by Phisgoc president and chief operating officer Ramon Suzara to POC secretary general Atty. Edwin Gastanes recently informing the Olympic body that out of the P6B government funding the games, only P1.481B was released by the PSC.
Meanwhile, seven members of the 13-man POC Executive Board pressed the Phisgoc to submit audited financial statements on the expenses incurred during the last SEA Games.
The board members were POC chairman Steve Hontiveros, first vice president Jose Romasanta, second vice president Col. (ret.) Antonio Jeff Tamayo, treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go and board members Atty. Jesus Clint Aranas and Robert Mananquil.
