In a strong demonstration of civil-military cooperation and youth volunteerism, the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry “Bantay Laya” Battalion (82IB) and the Negros Occidental-based non-profit Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) delivered essential social and basic services to one of Aklan’s most geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and historically conflict-affected communities.
The joint team navigated steep mountain cliffs, rugged terrain, and hazardous river crossings on October 14, to reach Sitio Taroytoy in Barangay Manika, Libacao, as part of the Aklan Provincial Government’s flagship “Gobyerno sa Baryo” (Government in the Village) outreach program.
Situated nearly 500 meters above sea level, Sitio Taroytoy has long faced severe geographic isolation and environmental vulnerabilities. Historically, the area suffered from heavy infiltration and disruption by local insurgent elements.
Years of safety threats forced numerous families to flee, leading to a sharp decline in the local population and student enrollment, further severing the village from broader economic and educational opportunities.
To address these compounding challenges, 82IB and HBONI collaborated under the Project Mission Beyond Borders framework, delivering immediate relief and establishing long-term development initiatives.
The outreach delivered critical health, educational, and material services directly to the residents:
- Vision and Hearing Care: In partnership with the EYE-hEAR Foundation Inc., the team conducted screenings for nearly 200 residents, distributing 70 pairs of reading glasses, five pairs of sunglasses, and essential ear and eye drops.
- Youth & Educational Support: HBONI provided 150 pairs of slippers to students of Taroytoy Elementary School, along with 100 loot bags filled with toys and candies, 45 game prize packs, and educational materials under HBONI’s Masaya ang Magbasa Program.
- Hygiene & Nutrition: The team distributed 75 complete hygiene kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, face towels, sanitary napkins, and grooming supplies, alongside a grassroots feeding program through HBONI’s Paka-OWN Program.
- Livelihood & Empowerment: Organizers conducted a raw materials and skills assessment with local artisans working with abaca, banban, rattan (uway), and reed grass (tayok-tayok). Portable solar lights were also introduced to power homes and student study areas while supporting community upskilling.
“Our mission goes beyond safeguarding borders; it is about building sustainable pathways of hope in communities that felt forgotten,” said Lt. Col. Elmar Salvador, Commanding Officer of the 82IB. “By bridging the gap between the government and geographically isolated communities like Sitio Taroytoy, we can dismantle the foundations of insecurity and replace them with institutional support and development.”
Kenneth Bacala, Founder and CEO of HBONI, Inc., stressed the significance of cross-regional volunteerism. “No distance or river is too wide when it comes to empowering the next generation,” Bacala said.
“Taroytoy possesses incredible potential in its youth, its resident educators, and its agricultural products. This partnership with 82IB and the provincial government allows us to plant seeds of real, lasting peace through service.”
The collaborative outreach was executed in coordination with the Aklan Provincial Government, the Local Government Unit of Libacao, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and local police units.
Both 82IB and HBONI confirmed plans to sustain their partnership, selecting Sitio Taroytoy as a pilot community for continued monitoring and development to ensure isolated areas receive lasting support.*
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