Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano was warmly received by students and teachers at disputed schools in embo (enlisted men’s barrio) barangays when she recently led the annual Brigada Eskwela.
According to the Taguig City government, Makati Science High School Principal Dr. Felix Bunagan and West Rembo Elementary School Principal Alma Adona thanked the mayor for the help in holding the Brigada Eskwela in embo schools from Aug. 14 to 19.

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano (Photo from the Taguig City government)
“Amid unexpected transitions within the school, adaptability emerged as a key factor for success, as Mr. Ralmond SJ Roca [Mathematics teacher and Gender and Development head] highlighted. Despite uncertainties, participants found fulfillment in the event, serving as the return of face-to-face interactions temporarily halted by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the Makati Science High School posted on its Facebook page.
"There are concerns, but we are still an educational institution, and that comes first," said Roca.
The Taguig City government said Cayetano was also warmly welcomed by students and faculty at the other EMBO schools: 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.
Taguig-Pateros Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Ayles said the school officials of the 14 embo schools are coordinating with Taguig for the opening of classes on Aug. 29.
The Makati City government had earlier insisted that a writ of execution was needed to implement the Supreme Court decision about the transfer of 10 barangays to Taguig. Cayetano said the writ was not needed.
The 14 schools in the embo barangays are temporarily under the supervision of the Department of Education following the row between Taguig and Makati over the Brigada Eskwela events.
The DepEd issued Order No. 023 noting “the increasing tension present in the 14 schools affected by the aforementioned ruling, thereby causing uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools on August 29, 2023.”
Cayetano promised that the programs implemented in Taguig will also benefit embo residents.