Bontoc, Mountain Province – Selected scout officials took the reins of running the Provincial Capitol on Monday, October 10,2016, as part of the scouting month celebration this October.
Scout Official Skyler Dagacan acted as Chief Executive Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. for a day; Bryan Kurt Russel Kiaki took care of the Vice Governor’s office in place of Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli.
According to Shirley Banaken, staff of the Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) –Mountain Province Council, scouts Sheldon Balicag, Karl Maynson Ambohnon, Elmark Ateneo, Marlou Kapua, Shun Michael Banaken, Jim Daryl Botilas, Ace Gill Barreras, Jushua Jericho Pisilen and Zion Longay, Thor Bao-et functioned as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members in place of Alfonso L. Kiat-ong Sr., Stephen V. Afuyog, Raul M. Lapon, Cariño S. Tamang, Romeo M. Pagedped, Salvador K. Dalang, Donato L. Danglose, Alexandre C. Claver, Paul F. Farong-ey, and Alfredo S. Ramon, respectively. Scout Gheoxel Kate Calde replaced Provincial Administrator Atty. Amador P. Batay-an for a day.
Scout Raniel Luis acted as Provincial Legal Officer, Scout Fejy Bonoy as Provincial Accountant, Scout Reuel Besay as Assistant Provincial Accountant, Gilbert Manodon as Provincial Agriculturist, Scout Alfa Suñga as Assistant Provincial Agriculturist, Scout Dannah Depollo as Provincial Assessor, Scout Japeth Paltican as Assistant Provincial Assessor, Scout Wayne Balantican as Provincial Budget Officer and Scout Fannie Cayabas as Assistant Provincial Budget Officer.
Scout Loren Todco worked for a day as the Provincial Treasurer, Scout Audrey Banga-an as Assistant Provincial Treasurer, Scout Jeslyn Siw-angan as Provincial Cooperative Officer, Scout Ezer Luna as Provincial Engineer, Scout Jericho Cawacao as Assistant Provincial Engineer, Scout Neil Gayados as Provincial Health Officer, Scout Sunshine Pasingan as Assistant Provincial Health Officer, Scout Angelica Romero as Provincial Planning and Development (PPD) Officer and Scout Jheryl Mar Diwangan as Assistant PPD Officer.
Scout Jaafar Khoori took over as Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer for a day, Scout Isagani Bacali Jr. as Provincial Sports and Development Officer, Scout Romel Mataag as Provincial Veterinarian, Scout Cayapon Saipen as Provincial Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary, Scout Kaylyn Gail Clemente as Provincial Population Officer, Scout Sundrex Bernardez as Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Scout Diana Rose Ambohnon as Provincial Human Resource Management Officer and Scout Jushua Pakipac as head of the Provincial Motorpool.
Scout Judah Bana-ang is Provincial Security Officer for a day, Scout Aniceto Taganas is Internal Auditor, Scout Marvin Tomas is General Services Officer, Scout Jerich Sebio is Assistant General Services Officer, Scout Val Claude Gawec is Provincial Tourism Officer and Scout Jim Galleto is Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer.
Other selected scouts were also assigned to various provincial office of national government agencies in the province.
During the turnover of responsibilities and the induction of the scout officials, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. warmly welcomed all the Scout Officials for a Day (SOFAD) who were assigned to the different government offices. The governor expressed his awareness that many of the scout officials came from municipalities away from the capital town, but assured them it will be one of the most memorable day in their lives.
He enumerated the benefits of being a scout such as learning to live by a code of conduct spelled out in the Scout Law and learning different survival skills.
Lacwasan remarked that as scout officials assume their positions for a day, their leadership abilities will be put to test. “What you will experience today will not only help you in your life as a student. More importantly, it will help you when you go out of your schools and find your place in this world. I am confident that many of you will soon become leaders in your own chosen field. Some will soon be managers, office executives, and political leaders. And when that time comes, you will realize that your experience today will count much,” the governor stated.
Scout officials who took over as Sangguniang Panlalawigan members for a day in their session passed two resolutions.
SOFAD Resolution No. 1, S. 2016, a resolution requesting the Provincial Government of Mountain Province thru the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members to provide a lot for the construction of the Mountain Province Local BSP Council Office. The scout officials unanimously agreed that the presence of a local council office in the province is a big help to the BSP-Mountain Province personnel and staff in catering and addressing the needs of its clients. It shall also serve as place do perform their clerical works and a venue where they can keep all the properties and materials of the council.
SOFAD Resolution No. 2, S. 2016, a resolution requesting the provincial government to provide funds for the SOFAD program. In their resolution, the scout officials proposed that the standard incentive amounting to P500.00 per official or head office shall be provided for the scouts. The collected incentive shall be equally divided among the scouts. This is to offset the transportation expenses incurred by the scouts who participated in the SOFAD activity.
Relative to this, Banaken relayed that P35,500.00 was initially collected from the officials and heads and assistant heads of offices which was equally divided among the scouts. She added that they are still waiting for incentives to be given by other officials, heads and assistant heads of offices as some of them are on official travel. Banaken further explained that the remaining uncollected incentives will still be divided equally to the scouts.
By Alpine L. Killa
