HISTORY

The merging of 523rd Engineer Construction Battalion and the 1st PHILCAG gave birth to the 564th Engineer Construction Battalion which was subsequently activated on 01 November 1968 pursuant to section III GO Nr 46 Hqs 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army dated 01 November 1968 as per AFP TO&E J-1 15WC (Amended by TO&E A5-5). The unit was initially stationed at Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac with Maj Pedro A Dimayuga as its first Battalion Commander. As years went by from 1978-81, 564ECB extended its area of operations down to bicol region particularly the province of albay. By October 1981, the unit was then transferred from central luzon to bicol region and initially encamped at Brgy Salvation Bato, later on moved to La Opinion, Nabua and finally to Pili in Camarines Sur. In May 1995, the AOR of the unit 564ECB was transferred from region V (Bicol) to region IV (Southern Tagalog) thereby replacing 565ECB, thus transfering 564ECB Hqs/Station from Camp Wennie Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur to Camp Eldridge, Los Baņos, Laguna. To be able to handle the magnitude of work, the 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army formerly 511th Engineer Construction Group organized Task Force Northern and Central Luzon” on February 16, 1968. Task Force “Ruby” was organized on August 6, 1968 and was tapped to assist in rescue operations in the Ruby Tower Hotel disaster in Manila as a result of a strong tremor that toppled the high-rise building killing several persons. Unfortunately, these task groups were deactivated on June 30, 1969 after operating for ten (10) months and fourteen (14) days. The pull-out from Vietnam of then 1st Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG), and the infusion of its Engineer Units of the 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army shortened the lives of two (2) battalions. The 523ECB and 533ECB bowed out of existence on November 1, 1968.Nevertheless, on the same date, the 564th Engineer Construction Battalion was organized and activated. From Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga, this new unit moved to Camp Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac for its headquarters. Briefly, the 564ECB was commanded by Lt Colonel Francisco Gatmaitan, then passed on to Major Pedro Dimayuga. The unit undertook the constructions of roads, prefabricated schoolhouses, and civic action projects in Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Foremost was the concreting of the Capas-Burot section of the Mc Arthur Highway in Tarlac. Torrents of test came into the way of the 564ECB and have gone as quickly as a vapor in all the years of its existence. The unit, however, was not a bit undaunted, even with the thought of equipment and personnel insufficiency. It staged an aggressive undertaking of the various infrastructure tasks assigned to it, asserting its capability to deliver a respectable output out of a difficult situation. The unit displayed a whirl of performance which yielded a accomplishment before the unit was transferred to Los Baņos, Laguna. Named after Captain B. Eldridge of the US 14th Infantry Regiment who was killed at Imus, Cavite on October 3, 1899, the camp was first garrisoned by the Company H of the 13th Calvary Survey and construction of the barracks for one battalion of infantry soon followed. Years later, the post served as Signal Corps and recreational facility. At present, Camp Eldridge where this unit based also stationed by composite units of the AFP and Regional Mobile Group headquarters of the PNP. The 564th Engineer Construction Battalion has four (4) companies as its strong force in accomplishing significant projects. The “A” Company is presently at Brgy Lourdes, Lopez, Quezon. The “B” Company also in Brgy Progreso, Gumaca, Quezon and Charlie Company at Brgy Ibabang San Roque, Liliw, Laguna . Co-located of the Battalion were the HHCo. The 564th Engineer Construction Battalion also known as “The Southern Tagalog Builders” is committed not only in supporting the implementation of any governments’ projects in the countryside but engaging in any disaster rescue operations count most. On 28 September 2006, typhoon “Milenyo” devastated southern part of the country. First time in history, large flow of water splashed the town of Los Baņos wherein the personnel of 564ECB played a vital role on rescue and clearing operations in the area. To date, the 564ECB, 51E, PA under the present leadership of LTCOL EDUARDO L LEONIDA CE (GSC) PA is geared towards its increasing participation in the infrastructure; socio-economic and internal security operation (ISO) programs of the government through KBP projects like the ongoing Water Supply Development Project, Farm to Market Road Project and Construction of School Buildings.