The Philippines is back as host of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
That after Philippine sports officials had a change of heart following their announcement last July that the country would no longer host the biennial games to give way to the rehabilitation of conflict-stricken Marawi.
In contrast to the original plan of staging the event in Davao, organizers are looking at Zambales, Pampanga and Bulacan as possible host cities.
Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano was appointed as the SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman.
This will mark the fourth time that the Philippines will serve as host of the regional games. The country last staged the event in 2005.