MANILA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Malacanang, the Philippine presidential palace, has asked the entire government to help in the preparation and organization and holding of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in the country from November 30 to December 11.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 56 released on Wednesday, all Philippine government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or-controlled corporations and local government units, are encouraged to extend their support to the Philippine SEA Games Organizational Committee Foundation, Inc. in the preparation, organization, and holding of the 30th SEA Games.
The memorandum, signed by Philippine Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on January 25, took effect immediately.
The issuance also urged local government units, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), schools, and business groups to cooperate and support the successful conduct of the SEA Games.
It also added that the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and all the concerned national sports associations shall also coordinate and support each other "for the effective preparation and successful participation of the Philippine delegates in the 30th SEA Games and all preparatory and relevant competitions."
"The successful hosting of the 30th SEA Games requires the involvement, coordination and support of concerned government agencies, the different national sports associations, and the private sector," the memorandum reads.
The SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from 11 Southeast Asian countries. The athletes are expected to compete in 529 events and 56 sports played in 47 venues in competition hubs including Manila, New Clark City and Subic.
This is the fourth time the SEA Games comes to the Philippines, which hosted the Games in 1981, 1991, and 2005.
