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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Monday, July 15, 2013

150 foreign scouts to join international jamboree in Albay

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, July 15 (PIA) -- Around 150 foreign participants from international colleges and universities in Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea are expected to join this year’s Scouts for Environment International Jamboree on August 21-25 at the Kawa-Kawa Natural Park in Tuburan, Ligao City.

Albay third congressional district Rep.Fernando V. Gonzales said each country might be sending 20–30 participants in addition to around 7,000 expected local participants from various parts of the Bicol region and the country.

“Although we have foreign participants, our emphasis is still on local participation. International jamborees are governed with international scouting standards that’s why this is also an oppurtunity for our local participants to learn and participate in a local event governed with international standards,” Gonzales said.

With the theme “Help save Mother Earth”, the scouting event aims to create wider awareness among young people on how to mitigate and respond to the effects of climate change change on the environment, health and everyday life.

This will be done through discussions, games, competitions and other scouting activities that will instill the practices of the province of Albay on climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster preparedness and risk reduction management.

The venue, said Gonzales, is an ideal location for such activities citing in particular the availability of facilities needed to provide the needs of participants.

“Kawa-Kawa can be used for free and with sufficient facilities to accommodate even around 10,000 participants. It is also a living experiment on environmental change with successful reforestation areas that can aid our participants on how to recover denuded areas,” said Gonzales.

Although the local government of LIgao will not be profiting from the event, Gonzales believes it will benefit not only the participants and communities around the area but also the province of Albay in general.

“This is not a profit generating event since we have minimum charge for the participants but what’s important are the collateral benefits generated for the people and communities in our province. For instance, those who want to sell souveniers and other local products can open stalls and booths. Tourism destinations in the province will also be promoted in our activities,” said Gonzales.

Now on its third year, this jamboree is organized by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Mayon Council, Bicol University and the local governments of Ligao and Albay. (MAL/SAA/PIA5-Albay)

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