Makati-Owned ‘Embo’ Fire Stations Reopen Following DILG Intervention

Led by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, a Makati-owned fire sub-station in an “embo” (enlisted men’s barrios) barangay was reopened on Friday, Jan. 5, amid the latest word war between Makati and Taguig over the area. 

Accompanied by Makati city administrator Claro Certeza, Abalos facilitated the reopening of the West Rembo fire sub-station, sharing how he “pleaded” with Makati Mayor Abigail Binay to allow its reactivation.

Another sub-station located Comembo was also reopened.

He said their discussion was “quick” and that everything was done “in good faith.”

“Kung ano man ‘yung problema, kung kailangan upahan ito, kung ano pa man ‘yan, part of ng pinag-uusapan namin. But what is important… is dapat tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyong ito, (Whatever the issues are, if we need to rent it, whatever is needed, it’s already part of our conversation. But what is important… is that service will continue),” Abalos said.

Makati, which owns the property and the equipment, closed down the sub-stations months after the Supreme Court ruled that the 10 “embo” barangays are part of Taguig City.

Abalos said fire equipment owned by the national government, including fire trucks, will be provided to the sub-stations. It will now be manned by firefighters from Taguig.

For now, Certeza said the sub-stations will be under DILG possession. He said the possible leasing or sale of the property will be decided with Abalos.

The Makati City official maintained that the local government only asserted its rights when it closed down the properties it owns in the “embo” barangays. 

Certeza said they hope that discussions would be made with regards to other facilities.

Last April 2023, the SC ruled with finality its December 2021 ruling that gave Taguig jurisdiction over the 10 “embo” barangays. 

During the symbolic reopening of the substations, Abalos acknowledged that both Binay and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano are acting in “good faith.”

The two local government units have repeatedly traded barbs over the issue, with the latest involving the closure of health centers previously operated by Makati in the “embo” barangays.

“There are just some issues that need to be resolved. On our part, the national agencies, that’s what we’re trying to do. That’s what happened today. So I am just hoping that the issue, which is not really simple… will be resolved. We’re leaning towards resolution,” the secretary added in Filipino.

Health centers 

Regarding the closure of the health centers, Abalos said that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa is “focused” on the issue, saying it is “close” to being resolved.

Meanwhile, in an interview on “One Balita Pilipinas” on One PH also on Friday, DILG Undersecretary for operations Lord Villanueva confirmed ongoing discussions between Taguig and Makati’s city governments regarding the health centers. 

“The important city officials [are involved]. For example, city administrators, so those discussions are ongoing, and we hope for productive discussions. Now, like what Secretary Benhur Abalos said, the primordial interest is ensuring provision of health services continue despite ongoing legal concerns,” Villanueva explained in a mix of  English and Filipino. 

He also confirmed the involvement of Herbosa, whom he said is “very much active” in creating a solution. While mum on details, Villanueva assured “definitely, the DOH (Department of Health) has a proposed solution for the continuance of health services.”

Villanueva noted that the SC’s ruling does not address “propietary issues” and only covers jurisdiction and territorial boundaries. Until now, he said the court has not clarified whether Makati’s properties should be leased or purchased by Taguig. 

He also noted that Makati’s motion for clarification, filed in October 2023, also remains pending.

“The legal issues aside, of course, we do not want health services to be disrupted, so discussions involving us and the DOH about this issue are continuous,” Villanueva said. 

Called out

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, wife of Taguig Mayor Lani, called out Binay in a Facebook livestream, accusing her of allowing embo residents “to suffer.”

“Anong mawawala sa ‘yo na pagamit ‘yung health center? Kumpleto kami sa doktor, sa gamit. (What will you lose if you allow Taguig to use the health centers?” he said.

“You put them in danger by padlocking the fire station, then you’re putting their health in danger by closing the health center,” added the senator.

He challenged Binay to not let the “embo” residents suffer, recalling her previous declarations of “love” for her former constituents.

The senator also told Herbosa to “man up” and act on the matter, stressing that the issue is not about politics but of public service.

In an earlier statement, the Makati city government said Taguig has long been aware of the closure of the health centers in the “embo” barangays since they need licenses to operate.

It accused Taguig of not doing anything even after it was reminded by the DOH in a letter last Nov. 21.

“Taguig refused to enter into a MOA (memorandum of agreement) with Makati regarding the properties owned and managed by the city. It also refused to enter into a Data Sharing agreement. Instead, they continue to make the outrageous claim that they own the public facilities constructed by Makati and the land on which these facilities have been built,” it said.