13/08/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐ฅ๐๐ฑ ๐ช
๐ฝ๐๐ก๐๐ฎ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ฃ: ๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐๐๐๐, ๐ฃ๐ช๐ง๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐
TALAINGOD, DAVAO DEL NORTE โ In the remote community of Sitio Laslasakan, Barangay Palma Gil, a new chapter in the pursuit of education, peace, and sustainable development began on August 10, 2026, with the establishment of Balay sa Kinaadmanโor House of Wisdom.
More than a school, Balay sa Kinaadman represents a collective commitment to bring education closer to the Indigenous Peoples of Talaingod and to ensure that distance, geography, or circumstance will not prevent children and learners from accessing opportunities to learn, dream, and build a better future.
The establishment of the learning center was highlighted during the successful launching of the Mediator Paglaum Program, held at 9:00 a.m. under the theme:
โPapel ug Lapis, Dalan sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan: Planting Seeds of Knowledge, Inspiring Hope, and Building Future Leaders Towards Sustainable Peace and Development.โ
The occasion brought together government leaders, the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Education, partner organizations, and members of the community in a shared undertaking anchored on one fundamental belief: educating the youth is one of the most powerful ways to secure lasting peace and sustainable development.
๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต
At the heart of the undertaking is Balay sa Kinaadman, established to expand access to quality education for the Indigenous Peoples of Talaingod through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
The initiative introduces 16 mobile teachers from the 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, who were trained by the Department of EducationโSchools Division Office of Davao del Norte to serve as pioneering teachers in facilitating the formal opening of classes.
To help ensure that learning can begin and continue meaningfully, backpacks filled with essential school supplies were also distributed to learners in the community. These simple yet significant provisions serve as tangible support as they embark on their educational journey.
Their presence brings learning directly into the community, transforming a once-distant opportunity into a tangible pathway toward education.
Balay sa Kinaadman was inspired by the vision of Alman Vincent S. Beldua Jr. and brought to life through the dedicated efforts of Engr. John Krist R. Vargas, whose commitment helped turn the vision into a learning space where hope can take root.
The establishment of the House of Wisdom carries a simple but powerful message: no child should be left behind in the pursuit of knowledge, hope, and opportunity.
In time, the torch of teaching will be passed on to the dedicated ALS teachers of the Department of Education, ensuring that the journey of learning continues without interruption.
๐ ๐ช๐ต๐ผ๐น๐ฒ-๐ผ๐ณ-๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
The inauguration of Balay sa Kinaadman stands as a testament to the whole-of-nation approach, demonstrating what can be achieved when institutions and communities unite behind a common purpose.
The occasion was graced by Assistant Regional Director Rebonfamil R. Baguio, who also serves as the concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent of the Schools Division of Davao del Norte.
The undertaking was likewise supported by Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib of Davao del Norte; Municipal Mayor Jonnie A. Libayao of Talaingod; Brigadier General Christopher M. Diaz, Commander of the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade, Philippine Army; Police Colonel Glenn G. Cristines, Provincial Director of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office; and Lieutenant Colonel Jesus L. Rosete, Commanding Officer of the 60th Infantry (Mediator) Battalion, Philippine Army.
LTC Rosete delivered the welcome remarks, while representatives from the participating agencies and stakeholders expressed messages of support for the initiative.
Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, security forces, education stakeholders, partner organizations, and the community in creating sustainable opportunities for the youth.
๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐
The launching was marked by a ceremonial program that formally introduced the initiative to the community.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of the Balay sa Kinaadman marker symbolized the opening of a new doorway to learning. The unveiling was preceded by a Panubadtubad, a traditional ritual led by the Baylan of Sitio Nasilaban, honoring the cultural identity and traditions of the Indigenous community.
The ceremony was followed by a tree-planting activity within the area, adding another dimension to the undertaking. While the House of Wisdom plants the seeds of knowledge in the minds of young learners, the tree-planting activity symbolically planted seeds for a greener and more sustainable future.
Together, these activities reflected the broader vision of the program: education, culture, environmental stewardship, peace, and community development moving forward hand in hand.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ
The journey to Sitio Laslasakan itself reflected the challenges that the initiative seeks to overcome.
The normally lengthy journey to the remote area was significantly shortened through a ten-minute helicopter flight from Talaingod, sponsored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Yet beyond making the event accessible, the journey served as a reminder of why initiatives such as Balay sa Kinaadman are necessary. For communities separated from conventional centers of learning by distance and difficult terrain, bringing education closer to the people is more than a logistical undertakingโit is an investment in their future.
๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต, ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
The establishment of Balay sa Kinaadman carries a vision that extends far beyond the opening day.
The youth are among the nation's greatest forces for positive change. By providing them with access to education, communities are given the opportunity to nurture future leaders who can contribute to peace, development, and the well-being of generations to come.
Balay sa Kinaadman therefore stands not merely as a physical structure, but as a beacon of learning, a symbol of hope, and a living testament to what collective action can achieve.
Every book opened, every lesson learned, and every young mind given the chance to dream becomes part of a larger journey toward lasting peace.
In Talaingod, the journey begins at the House of Wisdom.
Here, knowledge becomes a pathway to hope. Hope becomes a foundation for peace. And an educated youth becomes a promise of a brighter future.
Winning the youth. Securing the future.
by: Adones P. Layaguin
