The Makati City local government on Friday, Feb. 2, slammed Taguig City for blaming Makati for the closure of day care centers located in the 10 EMBO barangays following the villages' transfer to Taguig's jurisdiction by the Supreme Court (SC).

Makati City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza

Makati City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza said Taguig should stop blaming Makati and own up to its shortcomings, saying that the latter "has apparently overlooked this basic service and is attempting to shift the blame to Makati."

“First, we would like to point out that we had already extended until January 31 our day care services, which were supposedly until December 31, 2023 only,” Certeza explained, adding that Taguig has already been informed earlier that the day care centers owned and operated by the city will only be open until Dec. 31, 2023.

"Taguig had more than enough time to establish new day care centers in the  EMBO barangays, yet they failed to take action. Now, they are blaming Makati for their incompetence," he said.

The official said the operation and supplying of day care services is but one of many basic services  Taguig has apparently overlooked stressing that the city government would have already hired day care teachers and established day care centers in the affected barangays before the end of the year.

“Rather, they have hastily set up day care centers in public schools, which is a questionable move because day care services are not within the purview of the Department of Education (DepEd). This is a clear violation of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) we entered into with DepEd," Certeza said.

He stressed that starting from the time SC handed down its decision on the territorial dispute in faVor of Taguig, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano has repeatedly reassured the affected residents of the city government’s readiness and capability to provide them with all the basic services mandated by the law. 

“If this were true, why is it that our subsequent actions intended to allow Taguig to fully take over its primary duties and responsibilities have consistently elicited a negative reaction from them? Obviously, they are not ready. They have misled the public, especially the residents of the EMBO barangays, with their false bravado,” the official said.

“We urge them to stop playing with the people’s emotions and instead focus their energy and resources on meeting the basic needs of their new constituents. They should match their words with tangible actions and ensure that all the gaps are promptly filled, and no one falls through the cracks. For the sake of the citizens of the EMBO barangays, we urge the leaders of Taguig to get their act together and move forward,” he added.

Led by the Makati Social Welfare Department, the city oversees the operation of day care centers in the barangays which include the annual funding for uniforms and learning materials, salaries of day care teachers, and the provision and maintenance of facilities.

Aside from activity books and hygiene kits, children enrolled in the city’s day care centers also receive a Pre-K kit containing assorted learning materials, including alphabet puzzles and flash cards, math/numbers flash cards, wooden magnetic drawing board, abacus, and plastic building blocks, among others.

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has since expanded the city's Project FREE that has supported more than 74,000 students with essential resources such as uniforms, shoes, bags, and school supplies.