THE issue between land grabbing between the cities of Makati and Taguig further escalated with both local government units taking exception to the new accusations hurled against each other.
Makati was first to throw an accusation, saying that they were able to foil an alleged attempt by the Taguig Traffic Management Office (TMO) to forcibly enter the Makati Park and Garden located at Barangay West Rembo.
In a statement, Makati said the TMO personnel attempted to force their way into the city-owned park, but they were prevented by security guards and personnel of the Makati Public Safety Department (PSD).
“Taguig has once again proven that it is bent on grabbing property. Gusto nilang mangamkam ng lupa na hindi kanila. Gusto nilang magpasasa sa mga ipinundar ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Makati gamit ang buwis ng mamamayan ng Makati.” (They want to seize properties they do not own. They want to indulge themselves in the investments made by the city government of Makati that were funded by the taxes of the citizens of Makati.),” the Makati LGU said.
They even said Taguig officials should just pay more attention to the basic needs of their constituents, pointing out the persistent clamor from EMBO residents complaining about insufficient health services and benefits, especially for the sick and elderly.
Taguig retorts every accusation, claps back at Makati
“Ang parke ay nararapat buksan para sa publiko at hindi dapat gawing tambakan lamang. Ito ay para sa mga mamamayan ng EMBO,” the Taguig LGU said,
In their own statement, the Taguig LGU accused Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay of conducting “sabotage” and instead accept that they lost in the court decision and should focus on the public interest.
“Imbes na ipagpatuloy ni Mayor Abby Binay ang sadyang pananabotahe at pagpapakita ng poot sa lahat na lamang ng kanyang ginagawa, makabubuti na simulan na lamang ang proseso ng pagtanggap at paghariin ang interes ng publiko,” the statement said.
“Tinuldukan na ng Korte Suprema ang usaping ito. Walang karapatan ang Makati na akusahan ang Taguig ng pangangamkam ng lupa. Ang Korte Suprema mismo ang nagsabi na ilegal na kinamkam ng Makati at inukupahan ng mahigit tatlong dekada ang 10 EMBO barangay. Walang kredibilidad ang Makati na magkunwaring ninanakawan sila ng lupa at pasilidad gayong sila ang nahusgahang nangamkam ng teritoryo ng Taguig,” they added.
The Taguig LGU said that while Makati boasts of creating such establishments, they failed to mention that they had been illegally collecting taxes from EMBO since the court ruled in favor of Taguig.
“Kaya papaanong masasabi ng Makati na sila ang nagpundar ng mga pampublikong pasilidad sa EMBO? Hindi kailanman nagiging may-ari ang magnanakaw ng bagay na kanyang ninakaw. Bigyan na sana ni Mayor Abby Binay ng daan ang matiwasay na pamamahala ng Taguig kaysa patuloy na bitbitin sa puso ang galit dulot pagkatalo sa kaso laban sa Taguig at pagkawala ng 10 EMBO barangay na resulta din naman ng mga hakbang na siya din ang may gawa,” they added.
They also said Binay ordered the closure of the health centers and ambulance use from the DOH.
“Para sa taga-EMBO ang mga health centers at ambulansya. Hindi ito dapat basta ipasara o tangayin. Para saan ang pag-iyak dahil daw sa mahal niya ang mga taga-EMBO kung nakukuha nya namang tiisin at pabayaang kalawangin, magkaagiw at mabulok na lang ang mga pasilidad kesa ipagamit para sa kagalingan ng minamahal niya daw na taga-EMBO? Anong klaseng pagmamahal ito?” Taguig said.
Taguig claimed that the EMBO residents are happy with the health services that they are providing despite sudden closures by Makati
In October last year, Makati City filed an Urgent Motion before Branch 153 of the Regional Trial Court of Taguig to issue a status quo order against Taguig City, citing a number of attempts made by the latter to forcibly take possession of Makati-owned facilities in the 10 EMBO barangays.
These included attempts to enter the premises of a housing project owned by Makati and seize several school buildings and health centers in the affected barangays.
The Taguig takeover is in relation to the decision in June by the Supreme Court which rejected the Makati City government's motion asking the high court to allow it to file a second motion for reconsideration over its territorial dispute with Taguig City.
This is in connection with a 2021 Supreme Court decision declaring that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of parcels 3 and 4, psu-2031, and the 10 barangays, are part of the territory of Taguig City.
