By Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) — The city government of Taguig struck back at Makati, accusing it of “shamelessly violate[ing]” a deal with the Department of Health (DOH) that seeks to set aside ownership claims involving health facilities during transition talks.
In a statement on Monday, Taguig said Makati’s proposed memorandum of agreements were banking on “the false premise that they own the land and the health centers built thereon.”
“This ‘unwavering stance’ that the land and facilities built thereon ‘unequivocally remain firmly under the purview of the City Government of Makati’ shamelessly violates the agreement with the DOH for both Makati and Taguig NOT to take up ownership claims of the land and buildings while the transition discussions are ongoing so as not to derail the prime objective of a smooth transition of jurisdiction from Makati to Taguig,” it said.
“Makati took DOH and Taguig for a ride as Makati had no intention all along to negotiate unless Taguig yields first to Makati’s baseless claim of ownership,” it added.
Taguig issued this reaction a day after Makati released a statement on the former’s alleged decision to reject its proposals on the transfer of health facilities and data of patients.
Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza on Sunday said Taguig was “adamant about taking over our hospital and health centers without acknowledging our ownership rights.”
However, Taguig maintained that it has a “far superior legal claim” to the entangled areas.
Taguig also stressed that while Makati has long been arguing about its ownership of the land, it has yet to present to the public its titles as proof.
“It is a builder in bad faith, constructing the facilities despite being aware of the flaws in its titles and in defiance of the injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court of Pasig enjoining it from exercising jurisdiction over and making improvements on the 10 barangays. What more, it constructed the facilities using the taxes that it illegally extracted and received from its unlawful occupation of Taguig’s territory,” it said.
Makati has yet to issue a comment on Taguig’s latest statement.
Source: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/25/taguig-makati-health-facilities.html