Makati asks DILG to intervene in transition of barangays to Taguig

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Wednesday asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to "intervene" and assist in the transition of some barangays to the Taguig City government.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Binay lamented what she described as a "chaotic transition" due to supposed contradicting orders from the police and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Ako rin po ay nananawagan sa DILG. Siguro naman, it is high time you call a meeting for a proper transition of EMBO [enlisted men’s barrios] to Taguig,” she said.

(I also call on the DILG. Perhaps it's high time that you call a meeting for a proper transition of enlisted men’s barrios to Taguig.)

“Hindi naman siguro kalabisan na mamagitan ang DILG kasi sobrang nagkakagulo ngayon dahil conflicting po yung mga order. Sabi ni police ganito, sabi ni DOJ ganito. Parang it just creates more problems rather than maging tama at maayos yung transition,” she added.

(It is not too much to ask for the DILG to intervene, because it has become chaotic because of conflicting orders from the police and the DOJ. It seems it is creating more problems.)

Asked about the matter, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said that the department would continue its discussion with Binay regarding the transition.

"Tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman yung meeting namin. Tumatawag kami sa kanya. Nakikipag-usap sa kanya ganito ganyan," Abalos told GMA News Online.

(Our meetings are continuous. We are calling her. Talking to her about some matters)

In a separate statement, Abalos said that DILG agencies actions in connection with the transition would only cover 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."

For Abalos, the mayors of  Makati and Taguig "both care deeply for their constituency.  We share the same paramount consideration – the best interest of the affected people."

In 2021, the SC 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 SC denied Makati's motion for reconsideration assailing the SC's 2021 decision.

On Tuesday, Binay said she will seek “clarifications” on the ownership issues on EMBO public schools affected by the Supreme Court (SC) decision.

That's after Makati City accused Taguig of allegedly attempting to "forcibly take over" EMBO public schools. Taguig, however, denied this claim calling it a "lie and another desperate attempt to mislead the public."

Binay asserted that the SC ruling pertains to the cities’ territorial row but not the “ownership” rights of the public schools which 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 also said that they will seek clarification from Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte to clarify the Department of Education memorandum transferring the management and supervision of the EMBO schools to the Division of Taguig-Pateros in the incoming school year.

“Hopefully they will come up with a more clear DepEd order coming from the central office,” Binay said.

According to Binay, a local government unit (LGU) can own a property in an area under the jurisdiction of another LGU, citing the Manila-owned South Cemetery operating in Makati.

“We already have drafts of cases that we will be filing with the courts to seek clarification regarding this issue,” added Binay.

Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza on Tuesday also claimed that Taguig City should secure a Writ of Execution in order to effect the transfer of jurisdiction of the barangays.

Taguig, meanwhile, said they are ready to welcome their new constituents from the affected barangays.

"We reiterate that we heartily welcome our new constituents. We will work even harder to expand and improve the services we deliver for our new residents," Taguig said in a statement.

"(Taguig) Mayor (Lani) Cayetano maintained that the issue of ownership or  reimbursement should be deferred as it only distracts the parties from the pressing issues that need to be addressed," added Taguig. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News