Boy Scouts to get own campsite in Tuburan

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is planning to acquire a five-hectare lot in Tuburan town to serve as a campsite area for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) – Cebu.

“We will acquire it and donate it to the BSP. Tan-awon pa namo ang presyo,” said BSP Honorary Chair and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

The lot was the former camp of Cebuano national hero, General Arcadio Maxilom, who served as a revolutionary leader during the Spanish era.  Given this fact, the area in Barangay Kalangahan, Tuburan holds historical value.

Field Scout Executive Jade Mirafuentes said the lot will be the first camp the BSP- Cebu Council will own, if the plans of the provincial government will push through.

The BSP national council, not the local council, owns the only BSP camp in the island that is located in Capitol Hills.

If everything materializes, the BSP is also considering a land swap deal by exchanging the lot in Tuburan with that of the old Cebu Zoo, which was recently closed.

“They’re thinking nga pwede pa ma-swap ang kaning sa Cebu Zoo og sa Tuburan. Niana si Judge Paredes nga didto (Tuburan)  wala pay kahoy-kahoy and establishments compared sa Cebu Zoo,” said Mirafuentes.

He added that the BSP officials thought about the idea after their ocular inspection in Tuburan, since they noticed fewer trees which make it unfit for camping.

Mirafuentes added that it will take about eight to 10 years for the camp in Tuburan to be developed.

Area development would include planting trees and putting up facilities for outdoor scouting activities.

Davide disclosed that the Tuburan property is a private land and is cheaper since it is in a mountainous area in the north. The province is still negotiating with the owners for the price of the property. (FREEMAN)