MANILA – The Taguig City government on Wednesday took exception to Makati City's announcement on the closure of health facilities in the 10 EMBO (enlisted men's barrio) barangays due to the expiration of their license to operate (LTO).
These villages are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper South Side, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo, which are now under Taguig City's jurisdiction pursuant to a 2022 ruling of the Supreme Court.
In a statement, the Taguig City government called such pronouncements deceitful and misleading, saying health centers do not require LTOs to operate except for those classified as registered primary care facilities.
"Iisa lamang ang registered primary care facility sa EMBO, ang Pitogo Health Center, na may lisensyang tatlong taon na may bisa pa. Kaya’t lahat ng health centers sa EMBO ay maaring magpatuloy ng operasyon kung gustong magbigay ng serbisyo (There is only one primary care facility at the EMBO and this is the Pitogo Health Center whose license is still valid for three years. All health centers at the EMBO can still operate if these want to provide services)," it added.
Taguig also said its representatives, along with those of Makati and the Department of Health (DOH) met in August and September last year to discuss the transition process, where it was agreed upon that healthcare services will not be impacted by the EMBO barangays' turnover.
It was also agreed upon that Taguig will have authority and jurisdiction over these medical facilities by Oct. 1, 2023.
Taguig said it has immediately sought funds to buy the needed equipment and medicines and hire the necessary medical personnel for these facilities.
The Taguig City government also maintained that it is prepared to show its ownership of all public facilities in the EMBO villages and that it is prepared to provide the services needed by its residents.
On Tuesday, the Makati City government said while it wants to continue the operation of the health centers and lying-in clinics in the 10 EMBO barangays, these would have to be closed due to the expiry of their license to operate.
It also announced that the validity of Blu Card and Yellow Card of residents in these barangays, which gives them access to Makati's various benefits and services, have already been terminated. (PNA)
