This was the statement made by the city government of Taguig following a declaration by Makati City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza that Taguig had rejected their proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) for an orderly transition of health centers, including the Makati Hospital (OsMak), to Taguig by October 1, 2023.
In a statement released by the city government of Taguig, it said that the proposed MOA is anchored on Makati City's belief that they own the land and the health facilities there.
"This 'unwavering stance' that the land and facilities built thereon 'unequivocally remain firmly under the purview of the City Government of Makati' shamelessly violates the agreement with the DOH (Department of Health) for both Makati and Taguig not to assert ownership claims of the land and buildings while transition discussions are ongoing so as not to derail the prime objective of a smooth transition of jurisdiction from Makati to Taguig," according to the written statement by the Taguig City Government.
Makati's position that their claim over the health centers in the EMBO barangays is no longer negotiable, despite the agreement with the DOH to temporarily set aside the issue, is detrimental on Makati's part and seems to disregard the situation of its former residents.
"Indeed, if Makati was sincere, it should have already rejected the DOH's plea that the issue of ownership should be set aside at this point of the transition. Makati took DOH and Taguig for a ride as Makati had no intention all along to negotiate unless Taguig yields first to Makati's baseless claim of ownership," Taguig added in its written statement.
Regarding the issue of the Makati Hospital, Makati admitted that Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano did not reject Makati's proposal but left it to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to resolve, wherein the DOH Regional Director was instructed to lead the discussions.
"To be clear, Taguig has far superior legal claim to the ownership of the land and the improvements thereon. Makati has no title to the lots, and indeed has not shown the public the titles that should support its claim. It is a builder in bad faith, constructing the facilities despite being aware of the flaws in its titles and in defiance of the injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court of Pasig enjoining it from exercising jurisdiction over and making improvements on the 10 barangays. What more, it constructed the facilities using the taxes that it illegally extracted and received from its unlawful occupation of Taguig's territory," Taguig explained further.
Taguig City Government also stated that all they want is to provide continuous service to their new residents from the 10 EMBO barangays.
(Photos by X Page of Atty. Claro Certeza and Taguig PIO)
