A Makati City official on Wednesday claimed that Taguig City had known beforehand that the community health centers in the 10 EMBO barangays needed a license to operate, but failed to act on it despite a written reminder from the Department of Health (DOH).
According to Makati City administrator Claro Certeza, the Taguig City officials have been apprised of the need to secure the license to operate the EMBO health centers before it was announced by the Makati officials.
Taguig was also informed about the matter by the Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) of the DOH through a letter dated Nov. 21, 2023, but no action was taken about it, Certeza said.
In that letter, the DOH reminded Taguig about the need to apply for the renewal of the license to operate the EMBO health centers with the DOH Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division in order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of health care services to the local residents.
Certeza called out the Taguig officials for erroneously blaming the Makati government for the closure of barangay health centers in the ten EMBO barangays that were transferred to Makati based on a Supreme Court ruling.
“Isn’t it ridiculous how Taguig (officials) were trying to make it appear they were being pressured by Makati.. Now, who is in fact sacrificing the lives and welfare of EMBO residents for political interest?” Certeza asked.
He clarified that the DOH requires a license to operate the health facilities that provide diagnostic services, adding that the health centers in the EMBO barangays offer both consultation and diagnostic services.
“Malamang ay konsultasyon lang ang ibinibigay na serbisyo ng health centers ng Taguig kaya hindi nila alam na kailangan ng license to perate (It is very likely that the Taguig health centers offer only consultation that is why they did not know they needed a license to operate),” Certeza noted.
He also assailed Taguig’s outright rejection of Makati’s proposals aimed to ensure continuity of health services in the affected barangays.
“From the start, Taguig has flatly refused all proposals coming from Makati to ensure uninterrupted access to health services in the EMBO barangays,” he said.
Certeza said Taguig refused to enter into a memorandum of agreement or a data sharing accord with Makati regarding the affected assets owned and managed by Makati.
“Instead, they continue to make the outrageous claim that they own the public facilities constructed by Makati and the land on which these facilities have been built,” Certeza said.
He reiterated that the decision of the Supreme Court pertains only to political jurisdiction, not property ownership.
“If we use Taguig’s twisted interpretation of the Supreme Court decision, not only do they own the entire parcels 3 and 4 but all the land in the EMBO barangays, including those owned by private individuals. Obviously, this is wrong,” Certeza said.
“Taguig claims it is ready to provide health services to EMBO residents, but why are they offering teleconsult services only instead of putting up their own health centers, as suggested by Makati?,” he added.
“Bagong taon na pero luma pa rin ang estilo ng Taguig. (It is now the New Year, yet Taguig was still doing the old-fashioned style. They continue to twist the facts, misdirect, spread falsehoods, and insist on their twisted interpretation of the Supreme Court decision,” Certeza lamented.
“The problem with Taguig is that it wants all the perks but none of the responsibilities. It’s about time for Taguig and its leadership to face their responsibilities and do their job,” he said.
“Panahon na para patunayan ng Taguig na kapat-dapat silang pagkatiwalaan ng mga mamamayan ng EMBO barangays (It is about time for Taguig to prove itself worthy of the trust of the citizens of the EMBO barangays), Certeza said.
The 10 EMBO barangays are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo, and West Rembo