The City of Makati on Saturday called out the local government of Taguig for trying to take over public schools situated in the barangays covered by the Supreme Court decision on the boundary dispute between the two cities.
City administrator Claro Certeza, in a statement, said the public schools are properties titled to Makati and that the city intends to file appropriate criminal and administrative charges against Taguig City officials.
Certeza also pointed out that Taguig’s action was an “act of duplicity and bad faith” as they previously requested discussions for a smooth transition, but then attempted to use force without any lawful order.
In response, the City of Taguig assured the public “that the initiative was done in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and with the best interests of the students and their families in mind.” Taguig cited “facts that support their actions, including the Supreme Court’s final decision, regular meetings with school officials, and the deployment of security personnel to ensure the welfare of everyone involved.” “The City of Taguig takes strong exception to the misleading and false statements made by the city administrator of Makati, and will continue to exercise its mandate and jurisdiction over these barangays for the ultimate benefit of the new residents of Taguig,” it said.
Since Friday night, according to Makati’s Certeza, “enforcers” from Taguig’s Public Safety Department attempted to forcibly take possession of several public elementary and high school buildings in the barangays.
“These ‘enforcers’, who did not possess any writ of execution or any other lawful order, created unnecessary tension in these areas,” he said.
However, according to Taguig, the City of Makati “illegally barricaded the public schools and streets, preventing a school principal from entering her own campus.” Certeza said Makati has already created a transition team which he headed to sit down with Taguig officials.
“We were ready to offer arrangements that would benefit the students.
But Taguig apparently was not sincere and was in reality intent on using force,” he said.
He said the public schools are properties owned, and the improvements made in those properties were paid for by the City of Makati.
“The decision of the Supreme Court involved a boundary dispute. It did not transfer to Taguig ownership of properties owned by the City of Makati,” he explained.
Taguig earlier said it is fully prepared for the upcoming opening of classes in 14 public schools that were previously under the control of Makati City.
The public schools situated in the affected barangays in District 2 are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, and Pitogo High School.
These schools, according to Taguig, were transferred from the Department of Education-Division of Makati City to the Division of Taguig-Pateros following a Supreme Court decision that ruled in favor of Taguig in the two cities’ territorial dispute.
Taguig Mayor Laarni Cayetano said they will take necessary measures to ensure that the school premises are safe and ready for the students and teachers who will be returning to campus.
She said the local government is committed to providing a conducive learning environment for the students and supporting the educational needs of the community.