The Makati City government stated on Friday that it recalled an ambulance assigned to Barangay Comembo in accordance with the conditions outlined in the Deed of Donation executed by the Department of Health (DOH) in September 2021.
“We did it to make the necessary repairs and ensure its roadworthiness before we return it to the DOH, as stipulated in the Deed of Donation,” said Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza.
He explained that the ambulance was donated by the DOH to the city government of Makati and not to Brgy. Comembo, under its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
As early as August 2023, the city conducted a general inspection of the ambulance in Comembo and promptly coordinated with the DOH-HFEP supplier for needed repairs as it was still under warranty.
Certeza clarified that the city cannot directly hand over Taguig the vehicle since it has to be returned first to the DOH with a formal Notice of Revocation.
By virtue of the Supreme Court decision granting territorial jurisdiction over the EMBO (Enlisted Men’s Barrio) barangays to Taguig, the ambulance has ceased to serve its purpose as far as Makati is concerned, he said.
Certeza said that throughout January until early February this year, the Makati City government has been in constant communication with the DOH for the orderly return of the transport vehicle in Comembo.
In a letter to Mayor Abigail Binay dated Feb. 5, 2023, Dr. Rio Magpantay, Director of the Metro Manila Center for Health Development, cited the stipulation in the DOH Deed of Donation.
“The donor reserves the right to revoke this Deed of Donation in case any of the aforesaid conditions are not faithfully complied with by the Donee,” it stated. “In case this Deed of Donation is revoked, the Donee shall surrender the possession of the equipment and ambulance to the Donor within fifteen (15) working days from the Notice of Revocation.”
In November, the ambulance in Comembo was pulled out for battery replacement and underwent a series of repair works until January of this year. These included tire change, change oil, and repairs for the blinker, siren, odometer and speedometer, brake system, and rear backup camera.
Certeza noted that another ambulance deployed to Comembo was pulled out temporarily last month for inventory and licensing purposes. It was one of four ambulances donated by the DOH to the city government through Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) in July 2021 as part of the fund allocation of second district Rep. Luis Campos. Another ambulance was assigned to Rizal.
“After inspection and proper review of the said unit, it was returned to Comembo on Feb. 8, and has remained deployed there to date,” Certeza said.
On the other hand, he said the city has reassigned the ambulance from Rizal to Guadalupe Nuevo since the former is very near OsMak and can utilize the ambulance in Comembo for medical emergencies. “This decision was made out of necessity and prudence. Politics had nothing to do with it,” he said.
The Taguig City government recently provided brand new ambulances to Comembo and Rizal to ensure swift health emergency response for residents. These two barangays were formerly under the jurisdiction of Makati City.
Taguig City Mayor Cayetano assured city residents and those residing in the 10 EMBO villages, now under the control and jurisdiction of Taguig, will be provided free and accessible health services.