Makati-Taguig turf war: DepEd takes over 14 ‘embo’ schools

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has assumed authority over 14 public schools affected by the territorial dispute between the local governments of Makati and Taguig.

In a department order dated Aug. 16, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the DepEd would “directly supervise the management of the enlisted men’s barrios or embo schools, pending a transition plan.”

Duterte noted that the affected schools are under DepEd, and supervising these institutions is “in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of our learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel.”

“Relative to the Supreme Court (SC)’s final and executory decision in the case titled Municipality of Makati vs. Municipality of Taguig, the department is cognizant of the increasing tension present in the schools affected by the aforementioned ruling, thereby causing uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of classes on Aug. 29,” the DepEd order read.

Duterte said the DepEd is mandated to promote every Filipino’s right to accessible, equitable and quality basic education.

“Consistent with its mandate, the DepEd must provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers and personnel,” she stressed.

The DepEd ordered the creation of a transition commitee that would prepare the turnover of the schools to the local government of Taguig.

“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 cities of Makati and Taguig, should require prior approval from the office of the DepEd secretary,” the order read.

Following the SC ruling, the DepEd National Capital Region issued a memorandum placing the embo schools under the supervision of the Schools Division Office of Taguig-Pateros.

The Taguig government has assumed jurisdiction over the schools, prompting Makati to insist that a writ of execution is needed before the decision could be implemented.

Taguig insisted yesterday that it does not need a writ of execution to exercise its jurisdiction over the 10 disputed embo barangays.

The Philippine National Police should ensure the strict implementation of the directive, Duterte said.

The affected schools are the Makati Science High School, Comembo Elementary School, Rizal ES, Pembo ES, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino HS, Tibagan HS, Fort Bonifacio ES, Fort Bonifacio HS, Pitogo ES, Pitogo HS, Cembo ES, East Rembo ES, West Rembo ES and South Cembo ES.

Binay welcomes DepEd move

Makati Mayor Abby Binay welcomed the decision to have Duterte take over the supervision of the schools.

“This will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents and teachers,” Binay said in a statement. “We are one with Vice President Sara in her goal.”

Binay said Makati looks forward to “working wholeheartedly” with the transition team.

Makati is willing to provide free uniforms, shoes and other school supplies to over 30,000 students affected by the turf war. — Daphne Galvez