PIA DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA)-- Being assigned in the Ata-Manobo Municipality of Talaingod is such a challenging task for a military commander who has to contend not only with the native language, the mountainous terrain, but also with the fact that some of its villages are geographically isolated and depressed, making it a high recovery target of communist terrorist group (CTG) remnants.

But former commander of the Philippine Army's 56th Infantry Battalion,  Lt. Col. Osmalik Tayaban, was  leaving Talaingod with a heavy heart  and a reluctant mind.  This he  expressed during the recent change of command ceremony of the 56th Infantry Battalion  that secures the entire Municipality of Talaingod.

dormitory facility for the Tatag IP Students.  Alongside this, he then thought of setting up a foundation to generate partnership with the private and civic sectors to fund the dormitory complex construction.

During the command turnover rites on Aug 11, 2023, the originally conceptualized  dormitory complex for IP Students levelled up into an entrepreneurial establishment  bearing the brand “Tatag IP Students Tourism Center.

It is designed to run a resort with swimming pool, restaurant, cottage accommodation and souvenir shop aside from  the dormitory facility of IP students who was once either under the influence of CTG or whose parents were former rebels.

The Construction

Integrating fuel and food supply expenses, Tayaban revealed that some P30 million had already been spent to develop the area and to construct the structures found in the complex with the substantial manpower contribution from the 534 Construction Engineering Battalion, from the 56th Infantry Battalion, and from the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

With the moral support of his high ranking officers and fellows from the Philippine Airforce and other Armed Force units, Tayaban generated substantial monetary support to the foundation he set up to fund the schooling of Tatag IP students while at the same time develop the tourism complex.

“Kahit anong for-a-cause para makalikum,” he  revealed while profusely giving  thanks to all benefactors whom he named each during the turnover rites.

Continue the project

Tayaban still wants to see the Tatag IP student walk through college while also completing all the needed structures to fully operationalize the tourism center, but he has to go as he ends his two-year tour of duty.

However, 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Andrew D. Costela assured Tayaban that all his plans for his project including  his dreams for  the Tatag IP students, will be pushed through by his successor, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia as the new commander of 56th Inf Battalion.