Zambales fast tracking campsite for 30,000 boy scouts

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ZAMBALES — The provincial government is fast-tracking the development of a 62-hectare campsite to house the 30,000 scouts who will attend the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree starting on Dec. 14.

Domingo Mariano, provincial consultant on engineering and infrastructure, said that construction activities in Barangay San Juan, Botolan, are in full swing 24/7 to meet the deadline.

Under the theme “Be Prepared: Scouts for Peace and Sustainable Development,” this year’s scouting event aims to gather thousands of young people ages 12 to 17 from across the Asia-Pacific region for a week of learning, growth, cultural exchange and creating lasting friendships.

JAMBOREE SITE Engineer Domingo Mariano, provincial consultant on engineering and infrastructure, shows the area in Barangay San Juan, Botolan, currently being developed by the provincial government of Zambales as campsite for the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree starting on Dec. 14, 2025. PHOTO BY MAHATMA RANDY DATU

“The scouts will be treated with exciting outdoor activities and the opportunity to experience various traditions and cultures, and the taste [of] local delicacies,” said Mariano.

Based on Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) website, among the delegations who have already submitted their confirmation for the event include Bangladesh, Fiji, Hong Kong, South Korea, TGA Scouts of China, Brunei Darussalam, Maldives, United States of America, Canada and Kuwait.

As the host country, the Philippines will be sending 26,000 scouts to the jamboree.

Mariano noted that despite the size and grandeur of the project, the provincial government has not spent a single peso for the development of the area, except for the heavy equipment and fuel.

He said the BSP has shouldered the cost of development as rental for the site.

“Through the prudent initiatives of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the local government of Zambales is purchasing heavy equipment and trucks with the use of revenue earnings of the province,” said Mariano.

Mariano explained that as chairman of the Zambales Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office, Ebdane wanted to have a fleet of heavy machinery which can be dispatched or used during emergency and other community projects.

Mariano also noted that reusable materials from demolished buildings and bridges were used to build five small bridges within the camp site.

Mariano, meanwhile, informed the media of the four major infrastructure projects of the provincial government which were put on hold pending review of the Commission on Audit (COA).

The projects, he said, were awarded to St. Gerald Construction, which is owned by Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya.

These projects include a five-story new Capitol building with construction cost of P499,661,764; multipurpose building worth P213,280,421; two-story sports complex, track oval and football stadium worth P499,000,600; and a 165-bed capacity hospital building worth P399,773,774.

Mariano said all four projects have been partially completed.

“Despite all the news we heard about the allegedly anomalous projects involving the Discaya-owned construction firm, all their projects here in Zambales have no problems to note,” he added.

However, Mariano has assured the public that the construction of the projects will resume immediately once they receive clearance from COA.