MANILA, Philippines — The P50-million estimated cost for a cauldron-type structure for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games may be “Imeldific” or with a touch of “grandiosity” but it is reasonable,” a lawmaker said Tuesday.

House ways and means committee chairperson and Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda reasoned that the structure could symbolize the “coming of age” of the Philippines, where there is a strong economy and a “strong government.”

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“Kapag nakita mo ‘yung cauldron, mukhang reasonable naman kaso may Imeldific ‘yung dating, may grandiosity,” Salceda said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.

(When you see the cauldron, it looks reasonable [for its price] but it is somewhat Imeldific, there is grandiosity.)

“It personifies the new character for the Philippines being a strong economy,” he added.

He further said that the “kaldero” or cauldron is “only proportional to the new and bolder character of the Filipino.”

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon earlier questioned the P50-million estimated cost for the design and construction of a stadium cauldron for the SEA Games.

He said that the budget could have been used to build 50 classrooms.

The senator urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit on the funds used to build that structure and other SEA Games facilities as he expressed doubt about their financial viability after the Philippine hosting of the sporting event.

Drilon also said he plans to call for a Senate inquiry but will only hold it after the conduct of the games.

The SEA Games will be held at New Clark City in Pampanga province and other venues from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

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Salceda explained that the P50 million is part of the P6-billion lump-sum budget allocated for the staging of the SEA Games.

He further said that the P6-billion budget is also “reasonable” and actually “small” to be able to fund the hosting of the SEA Games.

“Mukhang reasonable naman ‘yung P6 billion to stage games like that. P6 billion is already small,” the Albay representative said.

(The P6-billion budget seems reasonable to stage games like that. It is actually small.)

“Kaso kinompare ni Senator Drilon sa isang classroom. Wala namang classroom na P1 million ngayon eh. Karamihan ng mga classroom P2.5 million,” he added.

(But Senator Drilon compared the price to one classroom. The construction of classrooms are usually P2.5 million, no classroom costs P1 million these days.)

READ: P50-million giant ‘kaldero’ riles Drilon

Edited by JPV