EDUCATION Secretary Sara Duterte will directly supervise the administration of 14 elementary and secondary schools in the “EMBO” barangays included in the Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the boundary dispute between the cities of Makati and Taguig pending the implementation of the final transition plan to ensure a peaceful and orderly opening of classes on August 29.
In an order dated August 16, Duterte said the Department of Education (DepEd) is cognizant of the increasing tension in the 14 schools affected by the SC decision, which she noted has caused uncertainty to the orderly resumption of classes in the learning institutions.
“The subject schools are DepEd schools. Hence, in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of our learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel, the Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools pending a transition plan, effective immediately,” Duterte’s DepEd Order No. 023 said.
Covered schools are the Makati Science High School, Comembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Pitogo Elementary School, Pitogo High School, Cembo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, and South Cembo Elementary School.
Duterte also ordered the creation of a transition committee composed of the regional director (outside of the National Capital Region), the schools division superintendents of Taguig-Pateros and Makati and the legal officers of Taguig and Makati.
“Specifically, the transition committee shall cause the preparation of a physical inventory of all properties involved, collate transition documents, including but not limited to, existing contracts involving the operations of said schools, and create a final transition plan,” the order said.
It likewise said that 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.”
“Further, the concerned school heads shall directly report and defer to the Office of the Secretary on matters pertaining to the daily operations of the subject public schools,” it added.
It also tasked the PNP to “ensure the strict implementation” of the order.
Makati Mayor Abigail Binay has earlier said she will seek clarification from Duterte on the memorandum issued by the DepEd-NCR transferring the management and supervision of public schools located in the EMBO barangays from the Makati school division to the Taguig-Pateros school division.
“Hopefully, the DepEd central office will come up with a more clear (sic) order,” she said, adding that as far as Makati is concerned, the memorandum order covers only teachers in the said schools since they are DepEd employees but not of the facilities.
The SC Third Division has issued a statement in April this year that it will no longer entertain any further pleadings, motions, letters or other communications in connection with the territorial dispute between Makati and Taguig as an entry of judgment was already issued after it affirmed with finality last September 28, 2022 its December 1, 2021 declaring that the contested Fort Bonifacio property is part of the territory of Taguig City.
The assailed 2021 decision permanently barred Makati City from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the Inner Fort, which is comprised of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.
The Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, Jusmag area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and the so-called six villages are situated in the said areas.
BINAY, CAYETANO WELCOMES DUTERTE’S ORDER
Sought for comment on Duterte’s order, Binay welcomed the DepEd chief’s action, saying it will ease the concerns of parents, students, and even the teachers on the issue, especially with the opening of classes less than two weeks to go.
“We welcome the decision of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to take over the management and supervision of the 14 schools. We look forward to working wholeheartedly with the transition team created by the Vice President,” Binay said.
“This decision will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents and teachers. Kaisa kami ni Vice President Sara sa kanyang layunin. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro, mga kabataan, at kanilang mga magulang (We are one with Vice President Sara in this. We should give priority to our teachers, students, and their parents),” she added.
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano also welcomed Duterte’s order, saying this, including the creation of a transition committee without citing the need for a writ of execution, “puts an end to the issue and allows all parties to move forward for the benefit of the community.”
“With this, we fully expect that this will put an end to the constant stream of misleading public pronouncements that have been coming out, and which serves no other purpose than to create confusion and anxiety at a time when we should be calming the public,” Cayetano said.
“We look forward to crafting the transition plan together with the Department of Education and all relevant government agencies. With the DepEd order, which specifically lists the collation of transition documents as a priority, we hope to finally receive the data we have been requesting from Makati that would allow Taguig to extend assistance to those affected more effectively,” she added.
The Taguig mayor also assured Duterte of her full support to provide a safe and enabling environment to students, teachers and DepEd personnel during the opening of classes.
EMBO SCHOOLS OK WITH TAGUIG
Meanwhile, the school principals of the “EMBO” schools, particularly Dr. Felix Bunagan of the Makati Science High School and Alma Adona of the West Rembo Elementary School, said the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela in their schools proceeded smoothly with the assistance of the Taguig city government.
“The event brought together students, parents, and volunteers for a week-long cleaning campaign that strives to unite the entire Makati Science community in maintaining the school premises. Amid unexpected transitions within the school, adaptability emerged as a key factor for success,” the school said in its Facebook page.
“Despite the myriad of challenges, volunteers and organizers alike encountered, the school community’s unwavering commitment to higher education continues to remai n steadfast. There are concerns, but we are still an educational institution and that comes first,” it added.
The said schools were visited by Cayetano and other Taguig officials during the opening of the Brigada Eskwela last August 14.
Taguig-Pateros Schools Division Supt. Dr. Cynthia Ayles said all officials of the 14 EMBO schools have already been closely cooperating with the Taguig LGU as early as July.
“Hence, there is nothing to be worried about the forthcoming school opening as it will surely be orderly, “ Ayles said.
Ayles also appealed to everyone to become open to transition to avoid tension and confusion.
The official added that contrary to reports, parents of students in the said schools said they are looking forward to a smooth transition to Taguig during the recent General Parents Teachers Association Dialogue where they were provided information on the services and benefits to be provided for the affected residents by the Taguig LGU.
Cayetano earlier assured the 30,000 students of the 14 EMBO schools of “quality service and assistance.”
“In fact, school kits and toiletries to be initially distributed to the students are already being prepared,” she said.
The Taguig LGU said that aside from school supplies, uniforms and shoes, it will also provide scholarships ranging from P15,000 to P110,000 to residents who will take vocational, two-year or four-year degree courses in colleges as well as masteral and doctoral degrees.
