Mayor Binay worried over Taguig’s ‘lukewarm support’ to robotics team

Makati and Taguig maps. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Abby Binay gave financial assistance to an elementary school once within Makati’s jurisdiction but is now under Taguig, and expressed worry of the latter local government’s “seeming lukewarm support.”

The team, composed of two Grade 5 and two Grade 6 students, is set to compete at the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas in April from April 25 to May 3, 2024.

According to Mayor Abby Binay, their parents contacted her office asking for support. They explained that the funds provided by the Taguig City Government were not enough to cover the team’s expenses.

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“I am saddened by the seeming lukewarm support shown by the Taguig local government to the West Rembo Robotics Team. It gives me reason to worry if Taguig will be able to maintain the level and quality of the Robotics program introduced by Makati,” Binay said in a statement.

Binay said she used her own personal funds to provide assistance to the competing students.

“Even though West Rembo Elementary School is no longer part of Makati, I decided to help them using my personal funds so they have less to worry about and can focus on  the competition. They bring pride to the nation and deserve our full support,” Binay said.

The Makati City government said that the robotics program was integrated into the curriculum for Grades 3 to 12 in the city’s public schools, starting 2017.

Just on Tuesday, Binay also gave P58,000 pocket money to members of the Makatrix Robotics Team of Makati High School, which is the country’s only public high school representative in the same competition.

All expenses including airfare and hotel accommodations were also fully covered.

INQUIRER.net has sought the Taguig government for a comment but has yet to receive a response, as of posting.

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Makati and Taguig were embroiled in a territorial dispute involving several barangays, particularly Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo — collectively known as Embo Barangays.

But the Supreme Court declared the Embo barangays and Fort Bonifacio, as well as the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village, and six other adjacent villages as under the jurisdiction of Taguig based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence.