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Background of the Foundation
In December 9, 1934 a man with great vision for peace and prosperity of mankind, named Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr. was born in the island of Cab-ilan , Dinagat, Surigao del Norte. As the youngest child, he grew up bearing the marginal socio-economic status of the family in the island through fishing and upland farming.
Gifted with the divine healing power at his early adolescent age, he went on mission elsewhere in the Philippines . He was then known through different names by his patients and among others are; Doctor Ruben, Ben Usay Ngipon, and Doctor Laway and others. In early years of 1960s, he ended his transient work and stationed his practice in divine healing at Sitio Puyange (now Poblacion, San Jose , Surigao del Norte).
People from all walks of life with different illnesses flocked-in to avail his service. Here started his direct engagement to socio-economic development when his patients who got well decided to settle in Puyange. He provided food, shelter and other basic needs of his poor and indigent patients using the donations from other prominent and rich patients who visited him. Later, he influenced his family and relatives to open their ancestral land for settlement of patients who decided to stay and live at sitio "Puyange". This social endeavor provided the means for his involvement in politics.
Due to the rapid increase of population brought about the coming-in of his followers in the association (PBMA, Inc.) he founded and migration of his clients and beneficiaries to the island of Dinagat, he took initiative for the economic survival of the people by enhancing the utilization of the natural resources from a mining reserve area to agro-fishery and agro-forest livelihood activities which lead to the conversion of the developed areas into an alienable and disposable land.
He also initiated the formation of the community-based social infrastructures as mechanism in pursuing the integrated and sustainable development programs like cooperatives, transport corporation/cooperatives, working units/groups, bayanihan system; and provided financial support for the small and medium-term business enterprises initiated by these groups.
From the different groups with respective developmental thrusts, secondary group was then formed (by the late mayor of the Municipality of Dinagat who at the same time the Supreme President of PBMA, Inc.). He named it as PBMA Economic Development Team who assisted him in pursuing his humane service with the people for the socio-economic development of Dinagat Island towards replicating such framework of development and approaches nationwide. His plans were started but the realization of his dream is handed down to the generations.
To pursue his dream, virtue, and undertakings for humanity, PBMA Economic Development Foundation, Inc. was formed. As tribute to the principles, values, and vision of the Late Mayor Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr., the foundation amended its name into Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr. Foundation, Inc. as mechanisms for any development initiatives to be shared and to be undertaken among its enthusiasts and contemporaries for developmental and humanitarian services.
