The management and supervision of the schools affected in the ongoing dispute between the city governments of Makati and Taguig will be under the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a statement issued Thursday, Aug. 17, DepEd said it “recognizes the increasing tension” in the 14 schools affected by the Supreme Court’s Decision in the case entitled Municipality of Makati vs. Municipality of Taguig (G.R. No. 235316).

To protect the “best interest and welfare” of learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel affected, DepEd has issued Department Order No 23, s. 2023 which provides that the “Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately.” 

Dated Aug. 16, DepEd issued the DO entitled “Assumption of Authority of he Department of Education over the 14 Public Schools Affected by the Supreme Court Decision In G.R. No. 235316,” signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

It was noted that DepEd’s assumption of authority over the 14 schools is “pursuant to its mandate to provide a safe and enabling learning environment.”

School opening to push through

As the school opening nears, DepEd said that it is looking “forward to a peaceful and orderly opening of classes” in the affected schools on Aug. 29.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/3/classes-in-public-schools-for-sy-2023-2024-to-start-on-aug-29-dep-ed

Here are the 14 schools affected by the Makati-Taguig feud:

1. Makati Science High School 
2. Comembo Elementary School 
3. Rizal Elementary School 
4. Pembo Elementary School 
5. Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School 
6. Tibagan High School 
7. Fort Bonifacio Elementary School 
8. Fort Bonifacio High School
9. Pitogo Elementary School 
10. Pitogo High School 
11. Cembo Elementary School 
12. East Rembo Elementary School 
13. West Rembo Elementary School 
14. South Cembo Elementary School

In the newly-issued DepEd Order, the agency noted that the increasing tension present in the 14 schools affected by the SC ruling has been “causing uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools” for School Year (SY) 2023-2024.

Since the “subject schools are DepEd schools,” the department will directly supervise the management and administration of the affected schools “pending a transition plan” and “effective immediately.”

Creation of Transition Committee

Related to this, DepEd also ordered the creation of a Transition Committee composed of the Regional Director assigned outside of the National Capital Region (NCR); the DepEd Schools Division Superintendent of Taguig-Pateros; the DepEd Schools Division Superintendent of Makati City; City Legal Officer of Makati; and City Legal Officer of Taguig.

The Transition Committee is expected to cause the preparation of a physical inventory of all properties involved; collate transition documents including, but not limited to, a complete list of existing contracts involving the operations of the subject schools; and create a Final Transition Plan.

“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 (OSec),” DepEd said.

Moreover, DepEd said that concerned school heads should “directly report and defer to the Office of the Secretary on matters pertaining to the daily operations of the subject public schools.”

DepEd said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will “ensure the strict implementation” of DO No. 23, s. of 2023.

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