Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4433

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since time immemorial, “Scouting” has been recognized as the symbol of
reliability and discipline. It has proven a sturdy structure, a vast range of activities
and skills to be shared. in fact, it is among the oldest undertaking in the world, with
an all-Filipino Boy Scout troop organized in Mindanao as early as 1914. The first Boy
Scout troop in the Philippines was composed entirely of Filipino Muslim boys. The troop was
organized by Lt. Sherman L. Kiser of the Philippine Scouts, U.S. Army, at an army
barracks in Zamboanga.

In brief, the program of the Boy Scouts of America was utilized in
the Philippines as a logistical support during the World War Il as Scouts undertook
many service tasks, such as but not limited to, messengers, firewatchers, stretcher-
bearers, salvage collectors and so on.

In occupied countries, Scouting continued in secret with Scouts playing
important roles in the resistance and underground movements. After the war ended,
it was found that the numbers of Scouts in some occupied countries had, veritably,
increased.

After the war, many countries gained their independence and as a
consequence, Scouting in developing countries gradually evolved to be a youth
program, which was designed by Scout leaders in each country to better meet the
needs of their communities.

Scouts around the world became more involved with issues such as child
health, low-cost housing, literacy, food production and agriculture, job skills training.
In developing countries such as the Philippines, drug abuse prevention, life skills
training, and environmental education are of prime concems to local Scouts.

In line with the development plan of the current administration, particularly,
eradication of the drug problem and environmental conservation, the compulsory
incorporation of Scouting as a Youth Program in the Curriculums of respective
educational institutions will certainly support and aid in the accomplishment of such
development plan.


Needless to say, the momentum of the drug problem in the Philippines has
reached to a point where the eradication of the problem has become the only
solution, and that is to wipe out all those involved in the drug enterprise, including
users. Otherwise stated, the countless deaths and collaterals of the drug trade has
become the realistic approach to reduce the prevalence of drug use.

It is my position that the focused bill on hand will radically reduce or at least
minimize the proliferation of drug use by providing productive avenues to the would-
be users, particularly the youth, whose minds are like fresh external hard drives
capable of storing zillion data albeit easily corruptible. That to any technologically
savvy person brings serious anxiety, what more to a parent whose dreams for
his/her child are without limitations.

Scouting for the youth as a “productive avenue” is a bit of an understatement
considering the multifarious benefits accompanying the same. The pertinent benefits
to wit

* Independence — outside their comfort zones or away from their parents,
young scouts will find their roles within their troupes and leam to become
independent. Learning these skills at a young age set a strong foundation for
a healthy, happy future in which these scouts are able to handle themselves.

* Ambition driver — Incorporated into many of the activities in the scouts’
programs is a little healthy competition. The children leam their strengths and
how to play upon them, and gain a sense of ambition that will help them for
years to come. Without ambition, the psyche is unhealthy and individuals may
sink into depression and have a decreased sense of self-worth that could lead
to, among others, drug addiction.

* Physical fitness — Hiking and trekking trips that Scouts perform help their
members to increase their physical fitness and gain an appreciation for
moving their bodies. Hiking gets you moving and gets blood pumping through
your whole body. Not to mention the added endurance and stamina for our
youth, including the survival skills that are innate in the field of Scouting that
may become useful in times of emergency.

In fact, even the 1987 Constitution supports which provides that “the Government
may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment - Scouting.
Provision in point is Article 2 section 4 of Bill of Rights thereof, all citizens may be
required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil
service.” It can reasonably inferred from such provision that there might be a time
where the help of all the citizens may be needed to accomplish a particular military
service and the same will be rendered nugatory if there's not even a basic survival
skill set ingrained in our youth.

Considering the numerous health and psychological benefits as
aforementioned, and avenues it provides where the youth can focus on and dedicate
their time and effort, Scouting, more than anything else, acts as an effective
deterrent against vices that if left uncontrolled, will result to the destruction of their
precious future. Without mandatory integrated approaches designed to direct our


youth to the right path, such as this proposed bill, our youth will be at the mercy of
unscrupulous elements bent on destroying their unrealized potentials.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ctor ‘DV’ B. Savellano
.1* District, Ilocos Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _4433

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

AN ACT INTEGRATING “SCOUTING” IN THE COURSE OF STUDY AMIDST
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, WITH A VIEW TO ACCOMPLISH THE SAME AS
A CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECT, TO IMBUE IN THE YOUTH PATRIOTISM,
COURAGE, SELF RELIANCE AND KINDRED VIRTUES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Scouting Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the right of the
Government to call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfilment
thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act:

A. “Government Agency” shall include the executive, legislative and
judicial branches, as well as, the constitutional bodies of the Republic of the
Philippines, including but not limited to, the national government and all its
agencies, departments, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities, constitutional
commissions and constitutionally mandated bodies, local governments and alll
their agencies, regulatory agencies, chartered institutions, government owned
and/or controlled corporations, wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries,
government financial institutions, state universities and colleges.

B. "Scouting” is a movement that aims to support young people in
their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play
constructive roles in society, with a strong focus on the outdoors and survival
skills.


SECTION 4. Organization - the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) is the foremost
corporation in preparing the youth to become agents of change in communities,
guided by the Scout Oath and law. Likewise, to help the youth develop values and
acquire competencies to become responsible citizens and capable leaders anchored
on the Scout Oath and Law.

SECTION 5. Implementation — There shall be established implementing rules and
regulations, taking into account the capacity and capability of Government agencies
sharing the same vision as the BSP , to effectuate the objectives expressed herein,
as well as, integration of the Scouting Program in the course study among
educational institutions.

SECTION 6. Supervision - There shall be established government agencies in
charge of enforcing pertinent laws, rules and regulations to accomplish the purposes
stated herein, which shall be under the supervision and control of the Department of
Education.

SECTION 7. Funding - The Department of Education shall include in the
Department's annual budget a fund dedicated to cover the expenses incurred by the
BSP in training scouts and improving their scouting program, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Keeping of Records — The day to day operations of the BSP shall be
recorded, including the comprehensive reports concerning the status and progress of
the trainees and objectives of this Act.

SECTION 9. Exemption from Compliance — Educational institutions offering similar
programs that are not inconsistent to this Act, embodying the principles and mission
of the BSP are exempted from this Act.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause — If any section or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional, no other section or provision shall be affected.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
are deemed repealed.

SECTION 12. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,