Makati: No permit needed to operate public park

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Makati maintained yesterday that the city does not need to secure a business permit to operate the Makati Park and Garden since it is a public facility.

“Taguig is wrong to insist that Makati needs to secure a business permit to operate Makati Park,” city legal officer Don Camiña said in a statement.

“Facilities owned by national government agencies and local government units are exempt from paying business and other taxes,” he added.

Camiña pointed out that the property was awarded to Makati under Presidential Proclamation No. 1916 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009.

Citing a ruling of the Supreme Court (SC), Camiña said the proclamation remains valid as it has not been nullified.

By insisting that Makati needs to secure a permit for the park, Camiña said Taguig confirmed that Makati is its “rightful owner.”

The Taguig government earlier ordered the closure of the public park in Barangay West Rembo, one of the 10 enlisted men’s barrio or “embo” barangays formerly under Makati.

Camiña reiterated that the SC only granted Taguig the “territorial jurisdiction” over the embo barangays.

The high court did not transfer to Taguig properties owned by the Makati government, he added.

Abalos visits ‘trapped employees’

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos visited yesterday the “trapped employees” after Taguig shut down the Makati Park and Garden.

“What is important is that you are OK and you have no problem with food,” Abalos told the employees who remain inside the Makati park.

“If you have a problem, just inform me,” Abalos added.

The Makati government has described Taguig’s move as “inhumane and ungodly.”