City’s out-of-school youth body abolished

CEBU, Philippines — An ordinance abolishing the Cebu City Community Scouts Commission was recently approved by the City Council.

The measure was authored by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera.

“The Cebu City Community Scouts Commission is hereby abolished,” read Section 1 of the ordinance.

Section 2 states that the vacant positions under the said commission are hereby abolished. The other positions, which are already filled up are considered abolished once vacated.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted Ordinance No. 1087 on January 19, 1981 creating the Cebu City Community Scouts Commission which is tasked to administer, control, and supervise the programs for out-of-school youth who are members of the Boy Scout of the Philippines.

“For so many years and administrations, said Community Scouts Commission had not been activated nor the members been constituted,” read the ordinance.

According to the ordinance, through the years, the operation of the Community Scouts has evolved from just developing programs for Boy Scouts who are out-of-school to handling and managing a facility housing male youth who are in conflict with law and/or street children.

It added that the operation of the facility can be best handled and overseen by the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). The existence of the Community Scouts Commission is allegedly causing confusion.

The City Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling earlier agreed to Pesquera’s proposed measure to abolish the commission as the purpose and operation thereof can be best handled and overseen by the DSWS.

“Through the lapse of time, Cebu City Ordinance No. 1087 is no longer responsive to the present situation involving out-of-school youth who are members of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines including those male youth in conflict with the law and/or street children. Besides, the Cebu City Scouts Commission has remained inactive for a long time,” read the committee report.

CO 1087 ordinance was amended by CO 1100 on May 26, 1981, CO 1109 on October 5, 1981, and CO 1174 on August 6, 1984. — FPL (FREEMAN)