IN an effort to cater to the needs of both local and foreign media covering the 23rd Philippine Southeast Asian Games, organizers of the meet decided to operate for 24 hours the International Press Center (IPC) located at the ground floor of the PICC Bldg.

Since it became fully operational early last week, delegates from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are now working regularly at the IPC.

Moying Martelino, the IPC overall chief and foreign correspondent head, said the decision to make the center operational for 24 hours was made since they expect the working foreign media to come in droves once the Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 meet formally begins.

"We already set up an information booth for them (foreign media) while we're closely coordinating with the Media Bureau for easy access on records and documents needed on their coverage," said Martelino.

"We're fully operational and open 24 hours now." Martelino said all of the 60 computers have internet access while local direct line and International Direct Dialing (IDD) are also available courtesy of the sponsoring Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company.

Huge monitors and six 21 inches TV set had already been set up for access to the different sports events.

"The big screen will be used for one particular sport while the other six are for monitoring of the six events closely being watched by our foreign visitors like football, badminton, athletics, swimming, taekwondo and boxing. Staff and personnel of the Media Bureau of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) headed by Clarito Samson have now been assigned to two shifts, ensuring that foreign media will be guided accordingly and will informed of the daily advisories regarding all programs and affairs of the meet. Access vehicles to be used by the working press are also being coordinated with the transportation committee and secretariat.

SEA GAMES PHILIPPINES [http://www.2005seagames.com.ph/]