MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created an inter-agency task force designated to support the preparation, organization and hosting of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree (APRSJ).
The task force will be chaired by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, based on Administrative Order (AO) 33 signed by Marcos on May 21.
The Philippines is set to host the 33rd APRSJ on Dec. 14 to 21 at Kainomayan Scout Camp in Botolan, Zambales, with the theme "Be Prepared: Scouts for Peace and Sustainable Development."
Members include the departments of Education, Foreign Affairs, Health, Local Government, Public Works, Tourism, Transportation, and Information and Communications Technology; Bureau of Immigration; the Philippine National Police; and Philippine Information Agency.
“The successful hosting of the 33rd APRSJ requires the involvement and support of all concerned government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units (LGUs), and the private sector,” AO 33 said.
The task force is directed to support the BSP in the formulation and implementation of programs, activities and projects, as well as in the organization and management of the requirements for the hosting of the 33rd APRSJ.
It is also instructed to coordinate and collaborate with other departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including GOCCs and SUCs, to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
All national government agencies instrumentalities, including GOCCs and SUCs, are hereby directed to provide support and assistance, while all LGUs, non-government organizations, and the private sector are encouraged to provide support and assistance for the effective and efficient implementation of AO 33.
The APRSJ, organized by the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, is a major scouting event in the Asia-Pacific region which aims to provide opportunity for scouts aged 12 to 17 years to experience fellowship of world scouting in a fun and learning environment.
“The Chairperson and members of the Task Force may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who shall be fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf,” the order read.
“The Task Force may invite other concerned government agencies, as well as non-government organizations, civil society groups, the academe, and other stakeholders as observers and/or resource persons to aid in the performance of the functions of the Task Force, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations,” it added.
AO 33, a copy of which was released on Tuesday, takes effect immediately. (PNA)