CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — As questions resurface over the funding for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, organizers maintain that the historic event should be remembered for what it delivered to the nation: a record medal haul, world-class sports facilities, and fully audited accounts.
The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) stated that all financial reports covering its ₱2.08 billion budget allocation were certified by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and independently audited by private accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers/Isla Lipana & Co.
However, organizers emphasized that the true legacy of the Games extends far beyond financial ledgers.
The Philippines emerged as overall champion of the 30th SEA Games, capturing a record 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals. The 387-medal tally surpassed the country's previous best performance in 2005 by 36 gold medals and 96 total medals.
"It was a multi-agency, multi-department organization whose main purpose was for a successful hosting by the Philippines," said PHISGOC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara. "We achieved this and the entire country rejoiced."
Beyond immediate athletic success, the 2019 Games left behind permanent sports infrastructure, including the New Clark City sports complex constructed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority in just 18 months. The facility remains the country's only athletics venue certified as Class 1 by World Athletics and accredited by World Aquatics, allowing Filipino athletes to train at international standards at home.
While PHISGOC affirmed its readiness to cooperate with any formal inquiry, the committee urged the public to weigh the event’s long-term gains for Philippine sports alongside the renewed financial scrutiny. (Dave Achondo, Editorial Associate)
