DepEd: Classes in schools entangled in Taguig-Makati row to start Aug 29

Makati and Taguig maps. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) said Thursday that classes for 14 public schools affected by the Taguig-Makati territorial dispute will still start on August 29, keeping with the nationwide opening of School Year 2023-2024.

DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said the opening of classes would not be deferred in the face of the escalated hostilities between the two cities concerning the ownership of the schools.

“Hindi po, hindi po natin gagawin ‘yun. Wala pong ganoong pinag-uusapan ngayon. In fact, even the LGUs (local government units) naman po, hindi naman po nila kagustuhan ‘yan,” he said in a radio interview on Radyo 630.

(No, we will not do that. There is no such thing being discussed now. Even the local government units don’t want that.)

READ: Parents, kids caught up in Taguig-Makati row

On Wednesday, August 16, an order was issued giving DepEd’s Office of the Secretary direct supervision over the 14 public schools and creating a transition committee composed of representatives from the Deped and the cities of Taguig and Makati overseeing a transition plan.

Vice President Sara Duterte is the DepEd secretary in a concurrent capacity.

READ: Taguig-Makati land row flares up over schools

“During the transition period, all activities to be conducted within the premises of and/or in relation to the subject public schools, including those from the Local Government Units of Makati and Taguig, shall require prior approval from the Office of the Secretary,” states DepEd Order No. 23.

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