Parents and teachers are expressing concerns over potential tension and confusion with the reopening of the 14 schools in Embo Barangays due to management disputes.
This follows the order of Dr. Cynthia Ayles, the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Division Schools Superintendent of Taguig. She has mandated the Taguig security agency's takeover of the 14 schools formerly under District 2 of Makati, which are now transferred to Taguig.
The Makati City government, through Makati City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza, has resisted this move. He insists that the school buildings are still owned by Makati and only the political jurisdiction has been transferred to Taguig.
According to the President of the Federation of Makati Parents and Teachers Association, Mark Christian Dimson Galang, the management of the 14 schools needs to be clearly defined for the benefit of students and teachers.
Galang also mentioned an incident on August 12, where the new principal of Rizal Elementary School was barred entry along with supposed security personnel from the Taguig local government unit because they were not recognized.
"That principal came from District 1 of Makati and was assigned to District 2. So he was not yet introduced to the security guards; that's why when the principal arrived, the principal was not allowedo to enter because he was not known," said Galang.
Parents also want to know from whom students at the 14 schools will receive uniforms and school supplies.
The Taguig City government has previously assured that it is ready to fund all needs of students from barangays formerly under Makati and now transferred to Taguig, as per the Supreme Court's order resolving the territorial dispute between Taguig and Makati.
The 14 public schools now under the management of the Department of Education Taguig-Pateros include Makati Science High School, Comembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Benigno "Ninoy" S. 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.
(Photos by Princess Chinitarainia)