Press Release
May 11, 2012

PIMENTEL SEEKS BROADER ROLE FOR BOY SCOUTS

Senator Aquilino "Koko" L. Pimentel III wants to strengthen the Boy Scouts of the Philippines as an entity that would help mold the physical, moral and intellectual upbringing of children and youth as well as directly contribute to nation-building.

In filing Senate Bill No. 3188, Pimentel cited Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that "the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being."

Pimentel said "scouting, or the skill of scoutcraft, is one of the strongest means of promoting physical, moral, spiritual and social growth in our children and youth. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building."

The proposed measure seeks to reorganize and restructure the government entity created under Commonwealth Act No. 111 in October 31, 1936, as amended, to allow it to play an expanded role in the molding and upbringing of Filipino children and the youth.

The Pimentel bill seeks to redefine the powers, functions and duties functions of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and to create a formal and organized corporation "more attuned to the times and adapted to the growing challenges" faced by the youth.

The bill redefines the objectives of the Boy Scout movement to include the training of young people in the attitudes, skills, and the habits of responsible citizenship, and inculcate in them patriotism, civic consciousness and responsibility, environmental protection awareness, courage, self-reliance, selflessness, discipline and kindred virtues, as well as moral and spiritual values.

The bill would also vest the BSP with all the powers of a corporation and allow it to perform all such acts and things as may be necessary to carry out and promote the purposes of the organization.

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