First Lady Atty. Marie Louise Araneta Marcos on Thursday pledged to help shape the mental, emotional, and social qualities of young women as she was formally conferred the “Chief Girl Scout” title.

In her speech during the investiture ceremony at Malacañan Palace, the First Lady recognized the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) for working tirelessly in its mission to “prepare our young women for their responsibilities in their home, in the nation, and in the world community.”

The GSP was formalized in May 1940 through Commonwealth Act No. 542. There are 800,000 girl scouts in the country based on 2017 data.

“As you know, as First Lady, I have been designated as the Chief Girl Scout… It is a title that I will truly be proud of… not only because of its meaningful history but more so because it will allow me to help our young women cultivate the same values that I learned when I was a Girl Scout in high school,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady recalled that in her experience as a girl scout, she was taught to help the community by planting trees.

“Who would have thought that years later, especially after the recent Typhoon Paeng, that something as important as tree planting could help the community,” she said, noting that climate change is real and is a problem.

“And if we can find ways to help our environment, we will definitely be able to help our community and our country,” the First Lady pointed out.

The First Lady concluded her speech by expressing her commitment to contributing to nation-building.

“As part of the Girl Scout movement, I’m committed to help shape our young women’s mental, emotional and social qualities. I will strive to help our environment and do our part towards nation-building. Together, we will achieve these goals,” she said. | PND