NOTICE A huge tarpaulin is displayed near the gate of West Rembo Elementary School to announce Makati City’s ownership of the school compound. The Department of Education (DepEd) has placed 14 public schools in Makati City, including this school, under the supervision of the DepEd Taguig-Pateros Division. — INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Taguig denounced on Tuesday the allegations that it rejected Makati City’s offer to provide free school supplies to 14 public schools caught up in a boundary dispute between the two cities.
In a statement, Taguig City called the claim a “false narrative” and another attempt to “sabotage the transition” of these schools, among other facilities, to its jurisdiction.
“Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza was again lying to the public when he announced that officials of Taguig City rejected an offer from Makati to continue providing free uniforms, shoes, supplies, and other school needs for some 30,000 public schools students,” the local government said.
“Atty. Certeza alleges that the offer was made during a meeting called by the Department of Education (DepEd), which was attended by both Mayors Abby Binay of Makati and Lani Cayetano of Taguig. What he deliberately fails to disclose is that he himself was NOT present during the meeting held on July 18,” it added.
According to Taguig, the meeting was in preparation for the Brigada Eskwela and reopening of the school year and to ensure the continuous delivery of its services to schools, specifically to students, teachers, and other school employees.
During the meeting, however, Taguig revealed that Binay purportedly “threatened” to close down the affected public schools unless the city government pays for the school buildings or pays rent.
In response, 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,” adding that “the focus should be the upcoming Brigada Eskwela and opening of the school year.”
READ: Taguig vows to address apprehensions during transition of affected public schools
By the end of the meeting, Taguig said DepEd had agreed to its position as it issued the Regional Memorandum Order No. 2023-735, mandating the transfer of management and supervision of the affected public schools from Makati to Taguig and Pateros.
On the other hand, Binay reportedly went along with this and withdrew her threats.
“Despite all the obstacles, delays, and difficulties thrown its way, Taguig is ready to extend to our new students in EMBO all the benefits that we presently give to our students — not just free school supplies, uniforms, and shoes, but scholarships for all (not just the top 10%) ranging from P15-P110k for those taking vocational, 2-year or 4- year courses; those taking master’s and doctorate degrees; and those reviewing for board and bar exams,” the city government said.
For a smooth and quick transition, Taguig asked Makati to provide its data on the number of students per level and city-hired school employees; types of benefits given to these students and teachers; and other relevant information or plans it has for embo schools, but the latter ignored its request.
Taguig likewise requested for the list of senior citizens and persons with disabilities for the distribution of their birthday cash gifts; residents with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes for monthly maintenance and medicine; bedridden residents for regular visitations and home care; taxpayers; and motorists now eligible for the city’s no number coding policy.
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