By Ruben A. Veloria
Almost no cost to the province
ZAMBALES, Philippines – The provincial government of this province is fast tracking the development of the 62-hectare campsite to house the 30,000 scouts from Asia and the Pacific countries who will be attending the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in December 14, 2025.
According to Zambales Provincial Engineering Office chief Engr. Domingo Mariano, provincial crews are now working 24/7 to meet the deadline to develop the campsite in Barangay San Juan, Botolan here, into the best scout jamboree campsite ever prepared.
Having 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 region for a week of learning, growth, cultural exchange, and creating lasting friendships.
“The scouts will advocate sustainable development, the Global Development Village, the Asia-Pacific Village, Faith Valley. They will also treat with exciting outdoor activities, and the opportunity to experience traditions, and cultures, and the taste local delicacies,” said Engr. 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, USA, Canada, Kuwait, and the host country, the Philippines which will be sending 26,800 scouts.
Provincial Engineer Mariano boasted that despite the seemingly grandeur project, the local provincial government has not spent a single peso for the development of the area, except for fuels of the machineries and machines. The BSP has shouldered the cost of rental of the site.
“Through the prudent initiatives of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., the local government of Zambales is purchasing heavy equipment and trucks using revenue earnings of the province,” said Mariano.
Mariano explained that as chairman of the Zambales Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Gov. Ebdane wanted to have a fleet of heavy equipment and ready-to-use supply of construction materials that can be used during emergency, and for other community projects.
The official also noted that old but reusable materials from demolished old buildings and bridges were kept for future use. “As you can see, we already built five small bridges inside the campsite with no cost to the province,” he added.
Meanwhile, Engineer Mariano showed to media the four major infrastructure projects of the provincial government worth ₱1-Billion which contracts were terminated or cancelled prior to review of the Commission on Audit (COA).
The projects were awarded to contractors included in the 15 contractors named by the President which bagged P100 billion in flood control projects, including: 5-story New Capitol Building worth ₱499,661,764; and the two-storey sports complex, tract and football stadium, with a capacity of 20,000 persons, worth ₱499,000,600, both were awarded to St. Gerald Contraction owned by Cezarah Cruz-Discaya.
The other two projects were: Provincial Capitol Annex Multi-Purpose Building worth ₱213,280,421 (RD Talens Construction); and the 165-bed capacity PRMMH Provincial Hospital worth ₱399,773,774, awarded to Hi-Tone Construction and Dev’t. Corp.
Engr. Mariano, clarified that construction of the projects were partially completed with an average of 2.0% ahead of schedule. “Despite all the news we heard about the allegedly anomalous projects involving the construction firms, all their projects here in Zambales have no problem recorded,” he added.
Engr. Mariano has assured the public that the construction of the projects will resume immediately once they receive clearance from COA.
