Makati-Taguig land row: This time, public swimming pools shut down

Makati says Taguig shut down the Makati Aqua Sports Arena (Masa) in a village now under the latter’s jurisdiction. The Masa is adjacent to the contested Makati Park and Garden, which shutdown also led to a standoff between the two cities’ personnel in early March. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Makati said Taguig has closed down community swimming pools in a village now under the latter’s jurisdiction in another property dispute between the two cities.

The Makati Aqua Sports Arena (Masa) is adjacent to the contested Makati Park and Garden, which shutdown also led to a standoff between the two cities’ personnel last week.

A Makati city official said that many public school students could not swim because of the pool’s shutdown.

City Administrator Claro Certeza said masked Taguig personnel posted tarpaulins declaring a closure order and padlocked Masa’s gate “even while Makati personnel were inside the premises.”

INQUIRER.net asked the local government of Taguig spokesperson for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting.

Certeza called the closure “illegal,” noting that it disrupted the swimming lessons of more than 4,000 students from their city’s public schools.

“The rash action of Taguig has denied them access to the facility where they can learn an important life skill and even become competitive swimmers,” he said in a statement.

Masa has two outdoor swimming pools: an Olympic-sized pool and a kiddie pool.

Before Masa’s closure, the local government provided free swimming lessons there every Sunday, according to Certeza.

He said 2,195 students registered for Makati’s free swimming program. He added that 1,486 Grade 12 students and 719 University of Makati college students also use the swimming pools to complete their swimming courses as part of their curriculum.

“Their unwarranted and thoughtless action has adversely affected the lives of Makati students, including their own constituents,” Certeza asserted.

On March 3, Taguig closed down the Makati Park and Garden for operating without a permit. The park is located in Barangays West Rembo and Cembo.

Makati said Masa was shut down on the same date even if it was not included in the closure order.

The transfer of ten villages from Makati to Taguig also led to other disputes, including the ownership of ambulances in the city.

Former Makati residents also lamented the development, which even prompted protests.

In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that the 10 Embo villages are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City.

The court ruled that based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence, the contested areas fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay disputed this decision, but later conceded as the High Court ruled the matter with finality.

In view of this development, Binay floated the possibility of running as mayor of Taguig.