Citing no permits, Taguig closes Makati Park and Garden

The Taguig City local government on Sunday ordered the temporary closure of the Makati Park and Garden for allegedly operating without necessary permits. 

In a statement, the city government of Taguig said the Makati Garden and Park, a public facility it claims is under its jurisdiction, has no permits from the Taguig City Hall.

“The said park and garden, which has been effectively closed as a park by Makati and used as garage for its heavy equipment and storage for various objects, is subject to Taguig’s jurisdiction which has the right to possess and administer the same notwithstanding Makati’s unlawful possession,” the Taguig local government said. 

Citing the Local Government Code and local ordinances, the Taguig government also added that the closure was in line with its authority “to regulate any business, trade, or activity within the City of Taguig through issuance of a Mayor's permit after submission of documents and payment of fees and taxes.”

The local government of Makati City on Friday denounced the supposed attempt of an officer from the Taguig Traffic Management Office to forcibly enter the Makati Park and Garden.

The Makati local government said that ''Taguig has once again proven that it is bent on grabbing property that is legally owned and titled to the City of Makati.''

''Gusto nilang mangamkam ng lupa na hindi kanila. Gusto nilang magpasasa sa mga ipinundar ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Makati gamit ang buwis ng mamamayan ng Makati,'' the Makati LGU said.

(They want to seize properties they do not own. They want to indulge themselves in the investments made by the city government of Makati that were funded by the taxes of the citizens of Makati.)

In its statement, the Makati City government said its employees were trapped inside the park after it was padlocked while members of the Taguig Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) were assembling outside.

  "The Taguig authorities should be censured by the concerned national agencies. For our part, Makati will take all necessary steps to protect and preserve our property," the statement added

The Supreme Court earlier affirmed with finality a December 2021 decision that ruled that the disputed Bonifacio Global City belongs to Taguig.

The Makati Park and Garden is located in Barangay West Rembo and Barangay Cembo—which are among the Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO) barangays the SC said were part of the territory of Taguig City.