The following is an official statement from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al S. Panlilio:

We at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) are honored and humbled by the support from His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with his creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force through Administrative Order No. 05.

This will aid the SBP immensely in the homestretch of our preparations for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

The SBP also extends its appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police and the Metro Manila Development Authority for being part of this Inter-Agency Task Force chaired by Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann.

Likewise, the President’s encouragement of local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector to lend their cooperation with the SBP will help ensure the successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for it to be a source of pride and joy for the Filipino people.