Some twenty years ago, a member of the Cebu City Police Force by the name of Rodolfo Judilla thought of providing a wholesome activity for the roaming children in the streets by organizing a Boy Scout Troop for them. The project did not have difficulty attracting the young boys into joining the scouting activities. Pretty soon he had a core group of twenty five who reported regularly to the sessions held at the grounds near the port area left idle after the conclusion of a trade fair.
With frequent group activities such as campings, jamborees and scouting competitions, a special bond of friendship and unity developed amongst these boys. They sought shelter in the make-shift structure of the abandoned trade fair. Through the solicitation of Policeman Judilla, the group received assistance from private individuals. It was at this point that the Rotary Club of Cebu during the administration of PP Joe Ho started to take interest in the project. Observing that the boys were drenched wet during rain owing to leaking roof, among the first act of the club was to donate a tarpaulin sheet as overhead cover. Since then the Club has been assisting the project on a continuing basis.
The City Government took notice of the worthiness of the project and started to support it with funds, materials and personnel, albeit inadequately Social workers were now assigned to the Center.
After Policeman Judilla retired, Policewoman Teresita Ayag took over his job. A livelihood component was added to the Center by washing bottles for a soft drink company, subcontracting for handicraft work, and raising fowl and animals for consumption. The project was now formally called Community Scouts and Youth Guidance Center (CSYGC)
By this time the number of wards had swollen to about fifty, much beyond the capacity of the building. The Rotary Club of Cebu, using funds mostly solicited through WCS from Rotary clubs in Canada, Chambersburg (Pa, USA) and Yotsukaido (Japan), has provided scholarship, livelihood training and recreational facilities for the boys. The City Government built a dormitory for them almost at the same time that the Rotary Club of Yotsukaido provided funds for the construction of a livelihood building. Since then the Rotary Club of Yosukaido has consistently supported the project with generous annual funding.
The Center has become a refuge for minor offenders who, Instead of being put in a regular jail where they are mixed with hardened criminals, are detained in a cell within the Center. Once released, they are invited to join the commune where they undergo a rehabilitation process, join the scouting activities, are provided education and taught basic vocational skills. Due to organizational and funding constraints and limited facilities, only about fifty boys are accommodated in the Center at any one time.
The boys stay in the center until they have finished their schooling or vocational education. Many of its former wards have found employment in factories and government service. A few are working overseas. One of them is now a full-fledged policeman, having passed its admission test after finishing college education. He is now assigned as Disciplinarian for the Center.
