MANILA – Philippine athletes can maximize their advantage of the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games as they have been given a go-signal to occupy the athletes’ village as early as August, the target month to finish its construction.

According to Vince Dizon, Bases Conversion and Development Authority President, the Philippine contingent may already stay in the athletes' dormitories at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac by mid-August so they can utilize the newly built facilities in the sports complex.

The 12-day regional games will begin on Nov. 30.

“By mid-August, we will have our athletes’ dormitory ready so the athletes can already stay here. Wake up in the morning and use this facility anytime they want which is just across the road,” Dizon said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

The village is a 525-room facility composed of dormitories with bathrooms plus a gym, cafeteria, mess hall, a mini pool and basketball court. Participants can also enjoy the greenery around the site.

The athletes’ dorm is just across the stadium where track and field athletes may already familiarize themselves with the track oval.

Dizon said the stadium is about 96-percent done with the track oval already open to Filipino tracksters.

“We are very happy that this is the first time our athletes are using it. It gives us such fulfillment to see our athletes enjoy the world class facilities that we have,” Dizon said.

The aquatics center in the sports complex is also set to be finished next month and will be open to the Philippine team.

“Right now, we are at 85 percent there (aquatics center). We are going to be done with the aquatic center by mid-August. Our swimmers, divers, they can already try,” Dizon added.

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