Visiting Philippine VP Meets With Scouts

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- Visiting Philippine Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Monday attended an interaction session with officials and members of the Scouts Association of Malaysia (SAM). Binay (second from right), who arrived in Malaysia on Sunday for a three-day visit, is national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the present chairman of the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. The interaction session, held at the International Youth Centre here, is an ongoing effort to boost friendship among the scout communities in the two countries. On hand to receive Binay was National Chief Commissioner of the Scouts Association of Malaysia Dr Mohd Shahrom Osman. Also present was the Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya (right). Binay urged the 200 scouts who attended the session to rise up to today’s world challenges and be ever ready to respond and extend their services to those in need. He said this was relevant as it reflected the evolving challenge for every scout, from grooming oneself to become a prepared individual who can respond to emergencies to becoming a citizen responsive to community as well as global crises. "The new challenge for us scouts is to be responsive to natural calamities and man-made disasters and to be able to coordinate our efforts in the national, regional and international levels," he said. He said scouts must also enhance their active role in protection of the environment. Binay had also invited the SAM to participate in a workshop organised by the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee for Honorary Correspondents in Manila from June 22 to 25, which aims to formulate strategies and develop communication styles and standards. "We need to document the scouting experiences, not just to preserve the precious scouting moments but to share them as well with the rest of the scouts around the world," he said. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA