ALL SET The Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, Tarlac province, has a 20,000 seating capacity. —Maria Adelaida Calayag
TARLAC CITY—More than 5,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the venues in Central Luzon of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
Police Brig. Gen. Leonardo Cesneros, acting Central Luzon police director, said 400 policemen were fielded in New Clark City here on Wednesday for some test events that included aquatics.
The sports complex at New Clark City serves as the main hub of the biennial multisport event. It features a 20,000-seat Athletics Stadium and a 2,000-seat Aquatics Center.
Police Col. David Poklay, Tarlac provincial director, said the Army and various local governments would reinforce the security and emergency response team at the SEA Games venues.
Subic venues
“So far, we have not identified any threat but we have monitoring activities with the help of our intelligence community,” Poklay said during a sendoff ceremony for the policemen on Wednesday.
In Subic Bay Freeport, the rehabilitation of five venues is being fast-tracked to host various sports.
Ramon Agregado, senior deputy administrator for support services of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said preparations for these venues were 80 percent completed.
“Right now we are at the peak of our preparations not just for infrastructure but also for the equipment, temporary facilities, accommodations and catering,” Agregado, also chair of the SBMA SEA Games committee, told the Inquirer.
The free port will host 17 SEA Games events, including duathlon, triathlon, pencak silat (Indonesian martial arts), sepak takraw (kick volleyball), chess, table tennis, muay thai and karatedo.
Water sports such as sailing, wind surfing and traditional boat race will also be held at the Subic Bay.
Traffic management
Venue managers said the rehabilitation of the Subic gymnasium, SBMA tennis court, and Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center will be completed before the SEA Games’ opening.
In Bulacan province, traffic and security measures are also in the final stage as the Philippine Arena inside the Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue town is set to host the SEA Games opening ceremony.
Police Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said they held a series of meetings to ensure the security and traffic management around the multipurpose indoor venue.
Major access road improvements are also being undertaken along the Philippine Arena interchange to ease traffic in the area. —REPORTS FROM MARIA ADELAIDA CALAYAG, TONETTE OREJAS, JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT AND CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE