Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday urged leaders of Makati and Taguig cities to iron out their dispute, which has spilled over to public schools. The latest irritant stems from Taguig’s rejection of Makati’s offer to continue providing some 30,000 students with free supplies as they settle their issues.
Last April, the Supreme Court said its resolution declaring the Bonifacio Military Reservation (BMR), including Bonifacio Global City (BGC), as part of Taguig became final and can no longer be appealed. The ruling ended three decades of the legal row between the two cities.
“What’s important is yung services sa mga tao, huwag ma-gambala. Kung meron mang issue sa pagmamay-ari, reimbursement, etc., mag-uusap na lang dapat sila [mayor of Makati and Taguig]. Ganoong level sana ang gusto naming mangyari,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday told reporters.
[Translation: What’s important is the services to the people will not be interrupted. If there are issues on the ownership, reimbursement, etc. the local leaders of Makati and Taguig cities should just talk it over. This is what we want to achieve.]
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said teachers are currently confused as to where to get administrative instructions.
Certeza said Taguig officials last July rejected the offer of Makati to provide free supplies to public schools of the 10 enlisted men’s barrio (EMBO).
These barangays have 14 public schools where the Makati local government earlier claimed Taguig City “forcibly took over.”
Taguig on Saturday denied the allegation, saying that security personnel were deployed in the public schools to ensure the welfare of the students, teachers and staff.
“In terms of pagbaba ng mga policy ng DepEd (Department of Education), makakaapekto yan doon sa ating schools na apektado ng territorial disputes. Kaya gulong-gulo ang mga teachers, saan ba kami kukuha ng kautusan. Pupunta ba kami sa SDO (School Division Office) Makati o sa SDO ng Taguig-Pateros? ” said Ruby Bernardo, President of ACT NCR Union.
[Translation: In terms of instruction dissemination of DepEd, schools within the territorial dispute will be affected. That is why teachers are confused as to where to get instructions. Will we get them from SDO Makati or SDO Taguig-Pateros?]
Bernardo also raised concern over where the students will get their school uniforms and other supplies, noting that Makati distributes these materials to students for free.
“Makati has offered to continue to provide these benefits to ease the worries of the students and their parents. We have asked the COA for guidance on how best to proceed, but we are willing and ready any time,” Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said in a statement.
CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahilles and multiplatform news writer Celine Serquiña contributed to this story.
Abalos said in his department, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; and the Bureau of Fire Protection are affected by the conflict. “We assure you the services would continue,” he added.
