Makati vs Taguig: The Battle for the Embo Schools
The long-standing dispute between Makati and Taguig over the jurisdiction of the 10 enlisted men’s barrio or “embo” barangays has taken a new turn, as Makati Mayor Abby Binay appeals to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to resolve the issue of management of three public schools in the contested area.
Binay, who is seeking re-election in the 2024 polls, has been vocal about her desire to retain the management of the Makati Science High School, one of the city’s flagship educational institutions, located in Barangay Cembo. She also wants to integrate the Fort Bonifacio Elementary School and Fort Bonifacio High School in Barangay West Rembo with the University of Makati (UMak), the city’s premier public university.
Binay claims that these schools have been under the supervision and funding of Makati for decades, and that transferring them to Taguig would disrupt the quality of education and the welfare of the students and teachers. She also argues that Makati has more resources and programs to offer to the schools, such as increasing the monthly stipend of scholars from the Makati Science High School and equipping the classrooms with smart technology.
However, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano, who is also eyeing another term in office, insists that the schools belong to Taguig, based on the 2023 decision of the Supreme Court that affirmed Taguig’s jurisdiction over the 10 “embo” barangays. He says that Taguig is ready to take over the management of the schools and provide them with adequate support and services.
Cayetano also accuses Binay of politicizing the issue and using the schools as a bargaining chip to gain votes in the upcoming elections. He says that Binay should respect the rule of law and the finality of the Supreme Court ruling, and cooperate with Taguig in ensuring a smooth transition of the schools.
The Department of Education (DepEd), headed by Duterte, is currently studying Makati’s appeal to retain jurisdiction over the three “embo” schools. DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa says that the agency will consider the best interests of the students and the teachers in making its decision.
While the issue remains unresolved, the plans for the schools involved are put on hold, leaving the students and the teachers in a state of uncertainty and anxiety. The fate of the schools, and the communities they serve, hangs in the balance, as Makati and Taguig continue to clash over the “embo” barangays.