The beginnings of the 564th Engineer Construction Battalion dates back from the deactivation of two (2) battalions - the 523RD Engineer Construction Battalion and 533rd Engineer Construction Battalion as a result of the pull-out from Vietnam of then 1st Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) and the infusion of its Engineer Units to the 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army on 01 November 1968. From Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga, this new unit moved to Camp Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac for its headquarters. The unit was initially stationed at Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac with Maj Pedro A Dimayuga as its first Battalion Commander. The unit undertook the constructions of roads, pre-fabricated school building and civic action projects in Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Signficantly, it facilitated the concreting of the Capas-Burot section of the Mac Arthur Highway in Tarlac. As years went by from 1978 to 1981, 564 Engineer Construction Battalion 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 Barangay Salvacion Bato, then later on moved to La Union, Nabua and finally to Pili, Camarines Sur. In May 1995, its Area of Operations was transferred from Region V (Bicol) to Region IV (Southern Tagalog) replacing 565th Engineer Construction Battalion, thus transferring 564 Engineer Construction Battalion’s Headquarters stationed from Camp Winnie Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur to then Camp Eldridge, Los Baños, Laguna. Camp Eldridge was named after Captain B Eldridge of the US 14th Infantry Regiment who was killed in Imus, Cavite on 03 October 1899, the camp was first garrisoned by the Hotel Company of the 13th Cavalry Survey of the U.S. Army, years later, the post served as signal corps and recreational facility. On 28 December 2015, Camp Eldridge was renamed to Camp General Macario L Sakay by virtue of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Orders Number 30 published on 11 January 2016. For the past 53 years, the Tagabuklod Builders have been of service to the Filipino people. The unit not only remained as a construction force, but has also been an instrument in obtaining the goodwill and support of the populace towards the nation’s peace-building efforts.
