DepEd: Aug. 29 class opening to push through in EMBO schools despite Makati-Taguig row

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said the August 29 opening of classes will push through in the 14 public schools caught in the middle of jurisdiction issues between Makati and Taguig cities.

"Yes, of course, precisely," DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas told GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita when asked if the opening of classes will push through on August 29 in the affected schools.

"Kaya tayo nag-assume ng authority over these schools para ma-assure ang ating mga parents at mag-aaral na tuloy pa rin ang pago-open natin sa August 29 in the 14 schools," he added.

(That is the reason we assumed authority over these schools, to assure our parents and students that classes will open in these 14 schools on August 29.)

Based on a department order dated August 16, DepEd recognized the "increasing tension" brought about by the Supreme Court ruling on the Makati-Taguig issue to the schools, causing "uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools on August 29, 2023."

The DepEd said that the Office of the Secretary (OSec), headed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, would now directly supervise the schools, pending a transition plan on the matter.

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of parcels 3 and 4, psu-2031, was part of the territory of Taguig City.

The high court had also denied Makati's motion for reconsideration in 2022 and 2023 on the matter.

Due to this, around 30,000 students coming from the enlisted men’s barrios (EMBO) schools in the 10 barangays that used to be part of Makati are caught in between the two cities' dispute.

Meanwhile, in the same television interview, Bringas said the DepEd is expecting around 28 million students this school year.

In areas that are still flooded due to the inclement weather, he said an alternative mode of classes will be implemented.

For schools with some classrooms still submerged in flood, Bringas said classes will be held by shifts. —KBK, GMA Integrated News