Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — Mayor Abby Binay on Wednesday responded to the denial of Taguig City that it rejected the offer of Makati City to continue providing school supplies to public school students affected by the two local government units’ dispute.
“May konting sense of reality ba sila nandito na ‘yung supplies, ayaw mong ibigay ko. Bakit? Someone is being generous to you with no strings attached and yet you’re saying no. Why?” Binay said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: Do they have a little sense of reality? The supplies are here and yet you don’t want it. Why?]
The 14 schools affected by the turf dispute are located within 10 barangays previously under Makati, which were transferred to Taguig following a Supreme Court decision
In a statement on Tuesday, the local government of Taguig said Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza was lying when he announced that officials of Taguig City rejected the offer for continued supply of free uniforms, shoes, supplies and other school needs of some 30,000 public school students.
Binay said the supplies are already with the schools ready for distribution. However, the Taguig government said these should just be donated to local government units affected by calamities, she added.
Based on the last count, she noted there are around 48,000 students enrolled for the incoming school year.
“Can you be able to procure, supply for 30,000 to 48,000 students when the school is going to start before the end of this month?” she asked.
Binay earlier said that the city spends ₱459.9 million for school supplies, free food and financial incentives of students in the 14 schools affected by the issue.
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano has said her city has continuously provided school supplies to its students for years.
Taguig also vowed to grant ₱15,000-₱110,000 worth of scholarships to students taking vocational and two-year or four-year courses, master’s and doctorate degrees, and those reviewing for board and bar exams.
