By Joel E. Zurbano and Vince Lopez
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Wednesday asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intervene in a row over the control of public schools in barangays that are supposed to be turned over to Taguig City.
In an interview on Dobol B TV, Binay lamented the “chaotic transition” caused by contradicting orders from the police and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
She said it was high time that the DILG call a meeting for the proper transition of the barangays that the Supreme Court ruled should be transferred from Makati to Taguig.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said his department would continue discussing the transition with Binay.
But in a separate statement, Abalo said the DILG’s actions in connection with the transition would cover only territorial supervision.
He noted that rights or obligations over affected property would depend on the procedures under the law.
“We’re working with the Chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to revise the areas of responsibility and reporting lines of their affected local offices in light of the decided boundaries.”
“As for specific rights or obligations over affected property, these will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure provided by law. We will also respect any further court orders in this regard.”
In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of parcels 3 and 4, psu-2031, was part of the territory of Taguig City.
In September 2022, the Court denied Makati’s motion for reconsideration.
On Tuesday, Binay said she would seek “clarifications” on the ownership issues of public schools affected by the Supreme Court decision.
Earlier, Makati accused Taguig of attempting to “forcibly take over” the public schools, a charge that Taguig denied, calling it a “lie and another desperate attempt to mislead the public.”
Binay asserted that the Court ruling pertains to the cities’ territorial row but not ownership rights of the public schools that were paid for and owned by Makati.
“The DepEd order really pertains to just the teachers because they are employees of DepEd (Department of Education) but the DepEd order does not cover facilities,” Binay told ANC.
Binay said she would also seek clarification from Vice President Sara Duterte, who is the Education secretary concurrently, of a DepEd memo transferring the management and supervision of the EMBO (Enlisted Men’s Barrio) schools to the Division of Taguig-Pateros in the incoming school year.
Binay said a local government unit (LGU) can own property in an area under the jurisdiction of another LGU, as is the case of Mania-owned South Cemetery which operates in Makati.
Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza on Tuesday also said Taguig City should secure a writ of execution in order to effect the transfer of jurisdiction of the barangays.
The DepEd, meanwhile, called for a fair and equitable resolution that prioritizes the needs of the students.
The DepEd scheduled a meeting with representatives from both cities Wednesday afternoon.
Taguig had earlier called for a joint transition team, but Makati accused Taguig of trying to take over public schools in the affected barangays.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano said the transition team would coordinate with national agencies and all stakeholders for the speedy and orderly transfer of administration of the territory, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, and Pitogo.
But Certeza said the public schools in these barangays were properties titled to Makati, and that the city plans to file the appropriate criminal and administrative charges against Taguig City officials.
In response, Taguig said its initiative was undertaken following a DepEd memo ordering the transfer of management and supervision of the affected public schools from Makati to Taguig.
It also said the City of Makati illegally barricaded the public schools and streets, preventing a school principal from entering the campus.
The City of Taguig also took strong exception to what it described as misleading and false statements made by Certeza who said Taguig rejected a proposal from Makati to continue providing free uniforms, shoes, supplies, and other school needs to students.
Cayetano said her city has continuously provided school supplies to its students for years.
On Tuesday, Cayetano claimed Binay threatened to close down all public schools in the areas unless Taguig pays first for the cost of the school buildings or pays rent for their use.
Makati also stated that it will continue to manage and supervise the public schools in the 10 barangays, citing the Supreme Court administrator saying Taguig needs to obtain a writ of execution to transfer jurisdiction.
Cayetano said there was no need for a writ of execution and called its requirement a delaying tactic.
Also on Wednesday, Abalos said his office is working with the Commission on Elections to prepare Taguig City’s new barangays for the upcoming barangay elections set for Oct. 30.