MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed an inter-agency task force to prepare for the country's hosting of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree (APRSJ) in December this year.
Under Administrative Order (AO) 33 signed on May 21, the President ordered government agencies and called on local government units to support the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) for the country's hosting of the 33rd APRSJ, which will be held from Dec. 14 to 21, 2025 at Kainomayan Scout Camp in Botolan, Zambales.
Marcos said the task force, which would be led by the BSP, would be in charge in the formulation and implementation of programs, activities and projects, as well as in the organization and management of the requirements of the 33rd APRSJ.
The task force was also directed to ensure coordination and collaboration with other departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), regarding programs, activities and projects for the preparation, organization and hosting of the 33rd APRSJ; and perform such other functions as may be directed by the president and/or the executive secretary.
"The successful organization and hosting of the 33rd APRSJ requires the involvement and support of all concerned government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units, and the private sector," the President said in his order.
Other task force members are heads of Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Information Agency.
The BSP will serve as the secretariat of the task force.
The chairman 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 task force may also 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.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree, organized by the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, aims to provide an opportunity for scouts aged 12 to 17 years old to experience fellowship of world scouting in a fun and learning environment.