A view of the athletics stadium inside the the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac on November 21, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA- Critics of the Philippines' hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games will "eat their own words" once the sporting event formally opens on Saturday, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda insisted that the Philippines is ready to host the biennial event as he highlighted the efforts of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who heads the organizing committee for the Games.

"These games will make you proud. Nakita ko kung gaano kasipag si Speaker Cayetano. Yung mga nega, they will eat their own words," Salceda, an ally of Cayetano, said.

"It is an all systems go. All hands are on deck," he added.

Salceda's comment comes as the country draws flak over reports of initial problems encountered by foreign delegates.

Cayetano heads the private entity Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), which leads preparations for the country's hosting.

It is under the control of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee and therefore all decisions of PHISGOC are made in consensus with the said bodies, Salceda said.

"Under the Master Plan, PHISGOC is the policymaker and chief implementor of the games primarily responsible for the planning and actual preparations, organization, management and execution of the hosting of the 30th SEA Games," he said.

Salceda explained that PHISGOC also follows the same setup during the Philippine hosting of the Games in 1991.

He said PHISGOC was formed given the need for a "multi-stakeholder approach" in the handling of the Games "due to the irreconcilable differences then prevailing between the Government representatives and the POC leadership."

The lawmaker added that the Philippines' hosting the Games is a matter of national pride and would help boost the country's tourism and sports industry.

"Hosting the 30th SEA Games puts the spotlight on our Filipino athletes and is a big boost to Philippine grassroots sports program which is essential for our youth development," he said.

Malacañang earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte was "not pleased" with the reported problems encountered by foreign delegates.

"The President is not pleased of what he’s been hearing about certain snafu, certain delays, certain allegations of athletes not being fed properly, athletes arriving late or not on time delivered to their places of rest or residence. He’s displeased. Ayaw niya ‘yon," Panelo said.

The President also wants an investigation into allegations of incompetence and corruption in relation to the handling of the Games, his spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

-Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News