Makati says Taguig rejected offer of school supplies

The Makati City government on Monday claimed that the Taguig City government rejected its offer to provide free school supplies to students at the EMBO schools.

According to Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza, Taguig officials rejected their offer, made during a meeting last month, to continue providing public schools across 10 barangays with free uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and other school needs, even as these barangays are transferred to Taguig's jurisdiction.

“We have offered an arrangement that would benefit the students. But Taguig rejected it,” Certeza said in a press release.

Certeza said Makati City Mayor Abby Binay had proposed a status quo where Makati City would continue its services in the affected schools to ease the worries of the students and their parents as well as to avoid disruption in school operations.

Certeza said Taguig officials told Makati City to stop distributing the students’ school needs starting this school year. He added that the offer still stands despite Taguig City's refusal.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Taguig Public Information Office for comment.

Taguig's side

On Monday, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said that the city government is committed to supporting the EMBO (enlisted men’s barrios) schools that are now in Taguig's jurisdiction.

According to Dano Tingcuncgo report on "24 Oras" on Monday, Cayetano also said there might be a delay in the delivery of school uniforms as they are still getting students' measurements.

Cayetano said that it is Makati that is not helping Taguig.

"Mula sa umpisa, nakikiusap na akong gumawa na ng transition team ang City of Makati para lahat ng mga pinoprotestang legal, ownership ng ganito, lupa...para lahat 'yon mapag-usapan na ng magkabilang kampo...pero napapatagal kapag hindi nakikipag-cooperate," she said.

Taguig had proposed a joint transition team between the two city governments to speed up the transfer of 10 barangays and the administration of Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Earlier, Makati accused the Taguig government of attempting to "forcibly take over" EMBO public schools following the Supreme Court decision on the boundary dispute between the two cities.

The 14 public schools located 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.

For its part, the City of Taguig had released a statement describing Makati City’s allegation as a "lie and another desperate attempt to mislead the public." — BM, GMA Integrated News