Boy scouts set for IEC mission

CEBU, Philippines – Some 200 boy scouts from Lapu-Lapu City's public elementary schools will be deployed during the International Eucharistic Congress youth gathering on January 27 and 28.

The boys scouts are undergoing training starting yesterday morning in Soong Elementary School in Sitio Soong, Barangay Mactan, said Andy Berame, deputy officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

The exercise, which is called "Capability Training on Disaster Risk Reduction Management for IEC Preparation," is set to finish today, according to Berame.

The boys will be trained to give first aid, as well as attend to untoward incidents that they are capable of addressing given their young age.

Berame, however, clarified that the boy scouts' deployment is just an addition to the police personnel's presence.

Mayor Paz Radaza told reporters ensuring the safety of the delegates is their foremost concern, aside from looking for their accommodations in selected foster houses.

She challenged the boy scouts to be more vigilant and to be serious in handling this responsibility.

The boy scouts' training is made after the Department of Education in the city announced suspension of classes from January 27 to 29 in order to give way for IEC and to reduce traffic congestions.

Public schools in Olango Island and the islets of Caubian, Pangan-an and Caohagan will, however, hold regular classes on those days since they will not be affected by the religious activity.

The 51st IEC Youth Day will fall on January 28, when delegates from 71 countries converge at the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob for the Jericho Walk which begins there, going up to the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, down to Mandani Bay in the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.

City officials said they are expecting 3,200 youth delegates for the event.

The delegates will arrive on January 27 and will be welcomed with a dinner served at the city's five local parishes.

As the first major event to be hosted by the city this year, Radaza said ensuring the occasion's success will be a challenge.

"This year and the first month of 2016, a big challenge has come our way. And this is to host the International Eucharistic Congress. Thus, we have to make sure that our city is one hundred percent ready during the event," she said. (FREEMAN)