Samar Boy Scout jamboree highlights disaster preparedness

By NINFA B QUIRANTE, PIA Samar
January 16, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Samar Boy Scouts Jamboree held for three days in Paranas town focused on disaster preparedness to live the very adage that comes with being a Boy Scout – that of always being prepared.

This, in addition to the affirmation that scouting builds communities.

During the opening rites of the jamboree, DepEd Superintendent Editha de Veyra said in her message.

“We are gathered here to promote leadership, build more skills and share ideas with the future leaders of the country through scouting,” De Veyra said.

Some 700 Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) members participated in the opening program on January 13, in Paranas town which started with a dancing parade.

Scouters wore indigenous costumes and drenched themselves as they paraded around town unbothered by heavy rains.

The boy scouts look forward to scouting activities as the activities are in the open, and they can do adventures with their fellow scouters.

Scouters were taught survival training, rappelling in the hill near the camping area and other socialization activities.

Part of disaster preparedness were lectures on what to do during typhoons, floods, fire and other natural disasters, the scouters also held disaster preparedness drills for their mentors to see how well they have gained from the lectures given.

“Disaster preparedness should be taught to Boy Scouts even as young as those in the elementary grades because disaster can strike anytime,” said Marvin Añonuevo, a teacher-cum Scout trainer.

The three-day scouting activity folded up on January 15 with some guests from LGU Paranas and Boy Scout Executive Montano Asis gracing the closing program.