Rover Scouting in Philippines |
The Rover Program was first introduced in the Philippines in 1934.
In 1939, the first National Rover Moot was held in Fort San Antonio Abad, Manila. However, the second World War from 1941-1944 disrupted Rover Scouting in the Philippines. Boy Scouts Emergency Corps were formed and activated. Scouters and Scouts rendered services in various capacities throughout the country among them was Godofredo P. Neric who later joined the professional Scouter ranks and became that National Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines until his retirement in 1974. Scouts without uniforms also served as messengers of the prisoners of war and the underground. Blas Ople, who was Labor Secretary in 1960 to the early 1980’s, Senator, and Foreign Affairs Secretary was among those who registered after the war as the Rover Scout of Circle 3, in Hagonoy, Bulacan. He also worked in BSP from 1947-1950 as the Editorial Assistant of the Press Relations Office.
The following important events show how Rover Scouting came to the Philippines, its development, character and support given to the Program.
The first National Rover Moot after the Liberation was held in Baguio City on May 7-11, 1948 with 269 Rover Scouts and Scout Observers in attendance.
In 1957, seven Scouts and fourteen Scouters represented the Philippines in the Golden Jubilee World Jamboree, Leaders’ Indaba, and Rover Moot (J.I.M.) held on August 1-12 at Sutton Park, Warwickshire, England.
The 6th National Rover Moot was held in the Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga City on April 24-30, 1960 while the 2nd National Jamboree was held from may 2-8, in the same park in 1961. This records shows that more Rover Moots were held than Boy Scouts Jamborees. The same year saw the launching of the Revitalized Rover Scouting Program on St. George’s Day on April 23rd.
The BSP was also represented in the 7th World Moot held at the Clifford Park, Victoria, Australia from December 27, 1961 to January 7, 1962.
In 1962, an Award for Outstanding Heroism of the Year was conferred upon the Rover Scout Eleuterio Reynoso of Cotabato.
With the assistance of then Far East Office, World Scout Bureau Field Commissioner Abdul Kader b.t. Kechik, the first Rover Wood Badge Course was conducted at Makiling in 1964 from June 9-15 with 27 volunteer and professional Scouters attending. The attendance of the National Scout Executive Godofredo Neric and other prominent professional Scouters made the Rover Scouting Program more attractive and appealing to the youth and other adult leaders.
With the declaration of 1965 as Rover Moot Year in World Scouting, the BSP held its 7th National Rover Moot from December 18-23 at Makiling. It was attended by some 250 Rover Scouts from all over the country.
On February 1972, the National Executive Board approved the Auxiliary Program for Rover Scouting, otherwise known as the Roverette Program, which aims to develop fellowship and offer service programs for women who are at least 17 years of age.
The popularity and development of Rover Scouting, however, took a standstill with Presidential Decree 460, which changed the democratic character of Boy Scouts of the Philippines and finally dropping the Rover Program in 1975 because it was attracting more adults than youths.
Dramatic political changes in the national leadership in 1986 saw the informal return of Rover Scouting. It was during the National Scout Executive Conference on November 16-17, 1969 that a resolution was passed calling for the revival of Rover Scouting in the Country. By 1990, 61 Rover Circles were registered with 1,225 Rovers and 166 Rover Leaders. A draft program guide was presented in November 1991 by members of the Program and Training development Committee during the 34th Annual National Scout Executives Conference held in Mt. Makiling.
Finally, a Rover scouting Program Guidebook was published in 1992 formally signaling the implementation of a program, which is essentially co-educational; to provide opportunities for the Scouts who have reached the age of 17 ˝ to continue in Scouting. The program also allows young men aged 17-23 to become Rovers and young women aged 18-24 to become Roverettes with the option for both to join the Rover Per Division upon reaching the age of 23.
The National Rover Moot in 1997, which was held in Catarman, Northern Samar, revealed the need to revitalize the program to meet the aspirations of today’s youth and prompted the Program & Adult Resources Development Division to form a Rover Review Task Group.
A study of the membership of Rover Scouts shows the acceptance of the Rover Scouting Program. In 1994, at least 204 Rover Circles were registered with 5,927 Rover scouts. It increased to 710 Circles and 20,310 Rovers in 1998. By 2003, the number of Rover Circles decreased to 620 with 19,439 Rover Scouts, 1,341 Circle Executive Committee members and 1,538 Rover Peers.