GOV. ESPINO RECEIVES GSP TRIENNIAL CITATION
AWARD FOR PROMOTING SCOUTING MOVEMENT
LINGAYEN – Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. was recently conferred a Triennial Citation Award by the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) for helping advance the scouting objective of instilling the right values among the youth and preparing them for good citizenship and the responsibilities of adulthood and nation-building.
The award was presented to Gov. Espino by GSP officials led by National Council President Susan Locsin during the installation of the GSP Council Board Members for Triunnium 2015 to 2018 held July 10 at the President hotel here.
Locsin was assisted by Judge Maybelle D. Marinas, GSP regional chairperson, Laila Morales, GSP regional executive director, GSP Pangasinan council president Dr. Perla T. Cornel and other council members.
Espino was cited for his continuing support of GSP programs, projects and
activities, most notably the construction of the new GSP Pangasinan Council
headquarters within the sprawling Capitol grounds in Lingayen.
In his response, Gov. Espino said his administration, which places the highest
priority on youth development, is always “prepared” to lend its support in promoting
the scouting movement, especially in the task of inculcating in the young the highest
standards of morality and service, crucial elements needed in creating a strong,
responsible and patriotic citizenry.
The girl scouting movement reached Philippine shores in 1939 through famous
suffragist Josefa Llanes Escoda, first Filipina leader to complete basic scouting lessons in the United States. The GSP is the female counterpart of the Boy Scouts whose origins are traced back to as early 1907 when it was first started by Lord Baden Powell at the Crystal Palace in London.
Baden-Powell had adopted “Be Prepared” as the scouting movement’s motto, which meant “you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”
Similarly, the girls scout aim is to “empower girls to help teach values such as honesty, fairness, compassion, character, siserhood, confidence and tizizenship through activities including camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring practical skills.”
Girl Scouting achievements are recognized through rank advancement, its most coveted awards being the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold.
In 1994, the “Chronicle of Philanthrophy” poll showed that the Girl Scouts had ranked among the highest in the undertaking of charity work all over the world, including the Philippiness. (PIO/R. Bernardino)