Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. over the weekend commended “Team Zambales” for the successful hosting of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree (APRSJ), held in the province from December 14 to 21.
Ebdane said the strong coordination among provincial and municipal government units, with the support of local officials, national government agencies, and volunteer groups, ensured the smooth and successful staging of the weeklong international scouting event.
He cited the contributions of 2nd District Congresswoman Bing Maniquiz, who served as Deputy Camp Chief for Administration; Vice Governor Jaq Khonghun and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; the 13 municipal local government units; the Boy Scouts of the Philippines–Zambales Chapter; DepEd coordinators; the Police Regional Office 3 and Zambales Police Provincial Office; the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 71st Division and 69th Infantry Battalion; the Philippine Coast Guard–Zambales; Bureau of Fire Protection; Provincial Engineering Office; DPWH 1st District Engineering Office; Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; Provincial Health Office; DOH medical teams; the Philippine National Red Cross; and officials and volunteers of Barangay San Juan, the host barangay.
“We have proven once again the inherent character of Zambaleños to perform and make possible seemingly impossible odds placed on our shoulders,” said Ebdane, who also served as Camp Chief of the 33rd APRSJ. “We have done it again with flying colors. This is a moment in history that we will always remember.”
The 33rd APRSJ drew more than 23,800 delegates, including 441 international scouts from 20 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, making it the largest scout gathering in the region to date. Participants came from Kuwait, Bangladesh, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Maldives, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines.
Ebdane recalled that Zambales accepted the responsibility of hosting the jamboree on short notice, despite limited preparation time and the absence of a programmed budget. The provincial government had only 13 weeks to develop the 62-hectare campsite near the Bucao lahar field in Botolan town.
Around ₱70 million was spent to prepare the site, although Ebdane noted that approximately ₱50 million worth of infrastructure could be recovered and reused for future projects. “Hosting an international event of this scale for the first time was a huge challenge, but we prevailed,” he said.
Prominent scout leader David Robert Baden-Powell, a great-grandson of scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell, praised the Zambales jamboree in a social media post, calling it “one of the best” he has attended and commending the site, activities, food, and camaraderie among participants.
Foreign scout masters likewise lauded the Zambales government during a press conference for the camp’s safety, security, facilities, location, and the warm hospitality extended by local officials and residents.
During the closing ceremonies last Saturday, Ebdane formally turned over the APRSJ flag to the head of the Thailand scouts delegation. Thailand will host the next Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in 2029 at the Vajiravudh Scout Camp in Chon Buri province.
