BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
PASSI CITY, Iloilo – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the opening of the weeklong 18th National Scout Jamboree of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in this city on Monday, Dec. 11.
More than 40,000 participants composed of scouts and scoutmasters from different parts of the country gathered at the Camp Pintados de Passi in Barangay Sablogon.
President Marcos was named chief Boy Scout of the Philippines during the opening ceremony.
“I am very happy to join once again the national jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. I have attended other jamborees when I was much younger together with my father, and so this is a familiar experience for me. I have been a boy scout for a very long time,” Marcos said.
He expressed gratitude to the host, Passi City Government, led by Mayor Stephen Palmares, who also serves as the camp chief of the 80-hectare Camp Pintados de Passi, as well as other government officials who were present yesterday.
The President also highlighted the importance of scouting among the youth.
“Scouting plays a vital role in fostering the spirit of camaraderie and leadership among youth. With its unique blend of education, adventure, fun, scouting continues to inspire our young people to become active and productive members of society,” he said.
Furthermore, Marcos cited the role of the BSP in the country.
“It reminds us not only of the continued importance of scouting, but also of the enduring legacy of the scouting movement in our country,” Marcos told the participating boy scouts.
He added: “Each of you here is called upon to help shape our future and create a better and more sustainable world.”
Mayor Palmares, echoed Marcos on the meaning of scouting.
“In scouting, I developed discipline – the discipline on how to survive with the minimal logistics in your pocket, the discipline on how to survive in every situation, especially in struggling situations,” the city mayor said.
Also present during the opening ceremony were BSP National President and Agusan del Norte 2nd District’s Rep. Dale Corvera, BSP Senior Vice President Emilio Aquino, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary Conrado Estrella III, DAR undersecretary Jesry Palmares, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., and 4th District’s Rep. Ferjenel Biron.
The Passi City Government allocated P30 million, on top of outside contributions, to support the event slated until Dec. 17.
Palmares said the local government laid down a 5,000-kilometer water line, established 1,120 toilets and baths, developed the road network, and installed about 350 street lights in the entire camp.
Around 1,000 security personnel have also been deployed with the support of 3,000 volunteers.
The entire camp is provided with Wi-Fi hotspots by the Department of Information and Communications Technology. (With a report from the Manila Bulletin)/PN
