Makati hits Taguig’s ‘inaction’ on Embo health center closures

Makati and Taguig maps. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City on Wednesday turned the tables on Taguig City, criticizing the local government’s alleged inaction despite having prior knowledge that health centers in Embo barangays would be shut down.

“Matagal nang alam ng Taguig na magsasara ang health centers sa EMBO barangays bago pa man into i-anunsyo ng Makati,” Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said in a statement.

(Taguig had known for a long time that the health centers in EMBO barangays would be closed even before Makati announced it.)

Certeza said Taguig had also known for quite some time that a license to operate (LTO) is required for Embo health centers and was even reminded of the fact through a letter from the Metro Manila Center for Health Development of Department of Health (DOH) in November 2023.

“Ano [a]ng naging aksyon ng Taguig? WALA,” he stressed.

(What was Taguig’s action? NOTHING.)

“Now, Taguig is saying that they are being harassed by Makati. Isn’t this ridiculous? And who is now sacrificing the lives and well-being of EMBO people for political interest?” the Makati City official pointed out.

READ: Embo barangay residents lose Makati health card benefits

An LTO is needed for facilities that provide diagnostic services, Certeza explained. But, according to him, Taguig did not know of this fact because “[m]alamang ay konsultasyon lang ang ibinibigay na serbisyo ng health centers ng Taguig.”

(Taguig’s health centers probably only provide consultation services.)

“From the start, Taguig has flatly refused all proposals coming from Makati to ensure uninterrupted access to health services in the EMBO barangays,” Certeza continued.

In September 2022, Taguig rejected Makati City’s proposal to establish a credit line to ensure that Embo residents have uninterrupted access to its health centers and the Ospital ng Makati.

READ: Makati exec says Taguig rejects memo on transfer of health facilities, services

Certeza then reiterated that the 2021 Supreme Court decision was about political territory, not ownership. The high court’s ruling transferred the jurisdiction over Embo barangays from Makati City to Taguig City.

He likewise criticized Taguig’s offer of teleconsultation for Embo residents, saying that building its health centers would be better.

“Bagong taon na pero luma pa rin ang estilo ng Taguig. They continue to twist the facts, misdirect, spread falsehoods, and insist on their twisted interpretation of the Supreme Court decision,” Makati’s City Administrator said.

(It is the new year, but Taguig’s style is still old.)

“It’s about time for Taguig and its leadership to face their responsibilities and do their job,” he added.

READ: Embo folk to get free teleconsultation after health centers shut

Also on Wednesday, hours after Taguig’s statement on Makati’s closure of health centers in Embo barangays, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay posted a cryptic message on Facebook.

Taguig slammed Makati for allegedly denying Embo residents crucial health services as it shut down barangay health centers.

“Bago mo sisihin ang iba, mag-isip ka naman muna. May pagkukulang din ba ako?” she wrote on social media.

(Before you blame others, think first. Am I also missing something?)

Makati hits Taguig’s ‘inaction’ on Embo health centers closures