(Eagle News) — For the first time, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano faced the Senate budget hearing and defended the P50-million cost of the so-called “golden cauldron” built for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Cayetano, co-chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the private group which is handling preparations Philippine hosting of the SEA Games this year, insisted that the SEA Games cauldron which was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa, was not overpriced.
“It’s not overpriced and it’s not excessive,” he said, stressing that the “SEA Games cauldron” is also a “work of art.”
He said that this will also be a permanent symbol of the “fighting spirit” of the Filipino athlete.
The House Speaker also said that the cauldron will also be used in future international sports events to be held in the country, including the Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
He said that the cauldron’s maintenance expenses would be expensive as this would be lighted for 24 hours.
But Cayetano said that this is still cheaper than what Singapore had built for the SEA Games four years ago which was at P63 million.
-Drilon: SEA Games cauldron, a “luxury expense”-
Senator Franklin Drilon, however, questioned the propriety of building such a cauldron.
The senator said that it was a “luxury expense.”
“For P50 million you want to have a kaldero, it’s a question of propriety. It’s a question of priority. Doon sa P50 million, 50 silid-paaralan ang ating mabubuo. Kailangan ba natin ng ganoong kaluhong facility, which has nothing to do with training? Hindi po expense iyan for training. That is a luxury expense,” Drilon explained.
The Philippines spent ₱4.4 million for the SEA Games cauldron’s design, ₱13.4 million for the foundation, and ₱32 million for its construction. The 3-meter wide cauldron will hold the SEA games flame for the entire sports event. It was built near the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Cayetano, however, said that all expenses for the SEA Games could be audited.
But Drilon said that he would still push for a Senate investigation on the case.
