The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Thursday assured that the construction of the facilities for the 30th Southeast Asian Games will be completed in August.

Construction has been going on for 15 months now, part of Phase 1A of New Clark City in Capas town, Tarlac.

The status of the 20,000-seater athletics stadium is at 90 percent complete, while the 2,000-seater aquatics center, athletes’ village, and the national government administrative center are reportedly nearly done.

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“Right now I think we are at 85 to 88% . . . Ang gagawin na lang dito ay lilinisin na lang ’yung area at aayusin na lang ’yung landscape,” BCDA president and CEO Vince Dizon said, adding that the administration of the facilities will be privatized after the Games.

“The only way to do that in the long term is to privatize the maintenance and operations of all the facilities but still can be used by our athletes.”

The Games open at Philippine Arena in Bocaue town, Bulacan on November 30.

The closing ceremony takes place at the athletics stadium at New Clark City on December 11.

The Philippines last hosted the SEA Games in 2005.

The construction update came at a time when two sports bodies are claiming to be the legitimate organizer of the Games.

— Report from Gracie Rutao, ABS-CBN News