CITY OF TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Island Mindanao, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay called on the youth to never lose hope despite of the issues on widespread corruption that beset the country today.
“Tayong mga boy scouts, lalo na kayong mga bata, ‘wag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa sa ating bansa,” voiced the country’s second highest-ranking government official and the President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines during the kick-off ceremony of the Eastern Mindanao Region-Regional Rover Moot in Energy Park, Tagum City last October 3, 2013.
“Dito sa mga nahaharap nating mga problema, tingnan ninyo, makilahok kayo sapagkat kayo ay mamamayan din ng Pilipinas.”
The Vice President called on the youth to take an active role in nation building in order to fulfill their sacred tasks as scouts.
Binay served as the guest speaker and guest of honor during the opening ceremony at the sprawling site in Tagum City, where he addressed close to thousand Rover Scouts coming from Agusan, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and host Tagum City.
“Ipagmalaki ninyo na kayo ay mga Pilipino,” challenged the vice president.
During the four-day event, the participants will take part in community services, as well as harness their leadership and teamwork.
Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon stressed in an interview that the design of the activities for the event is attached on the goal of enlightening the scouts on their responsibility to the community and to the environment.
Mayor Rellon particularly mentioned the immersion activities on the second day of the Rover Moot, where participants will be sent to six identified clusters across the city and embark on activities like weeding, tree planting, information campaign against dengue, container gardening, nutrition feeding and coastal clean-up.
Meanwhile, Vice President Binay also supported the bid of Tagum City to make it the “scouting capital” of the country, citing its potential to host not just Mindanao-wide scouting activities but also national BSP events.
“I think they are starting it in the right way,” said Vice President Binay, referring to the active stance of the city to the scouting movement. Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum
