Makati LGU slams Taguig's alleged forced entry to city park

The local government of Makati City denounced the supposed attempt of an officer from the Taguig Traffic Management Office (TMO) to forcibly enter the Makati Park and Garden.

In a press release issued Friday, the city government said ''Taguig has once again proven that it is bent on grabbing property that is legally owned and titled to the City of Makati.'''

''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,'' the local government said.

(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.)

Taguig, however, cited a Supreme Court decision in its claim. 

"Tinuldukan na ng Korte Suprema ang usaping ito. Walang karapatan ang Makati na akusahan ang Taguig ng pangangamkam ng lupa," Taguig said in a statement. 

(The Supreme Court has already decided on this. Makati has no right to accuse Taguig of illegally seizing properties.)

"Walang kredibilidad ang Makati na magkunwaring ninanakawan sila ng lupa at pasilidad gayong sila ang nahusgahang nangamkam ng teritoryo ng Taguig," it added

(Makati has no credibility and claim that their land and property were illegally seized when it was them which that to Taguig.)

Makati City officials further called on its counterparts in Taguig City to pay more attention towards the basic needs of their constituents. The city government mentioned the clamor of EMBO residents to get better healthcare services.

“If only Taguig would display the same zeal in improving their services to their constituents. Reklamo ng mga taga EMBO na kulang-kulang ang health services at benefits at hindi maayos ang sistema ng pagtulong sa mga may sakit at senior citizens. Ito dapat ang unahin nila. Unahin ang mamamayan, hindi ang pangangamkam,” the Makati City said.

(EMBO residents are complaining about inadequate health services and benefits and the poor system of providing assistance to the sick and senior citizens. This should be their priority. The citizens’ welfare should come first, not land-grabbing.)

Taguig, however, said that it's already providing health services to EMBO residents. 

"Sa kabila ng walang tigil na sabotahe, ipinababatid sa lahat na agad nakapagtayo ang Taguig ng health center sa Southside, botika sa East Rembo at West Rembo, at assistance center sa Pembo,"

(Despite the sabotage, Taguig has already setup a health center in Southside, pharmacy in East and West Rembo, and assistance center in Pembo.)

In June, the Supreme Court 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. —KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News