NO ENTRY. The closure order notice of the Taguig City government hangs from one of the gates of the Makati Park and Garden, located in Barangay West Rembo and Barangay Cembo, on Sunday (March 3, 2024). Taguig said the park has no permit while Makati countered it is still legally titled to them. (Photo courtesy of I Love Taguig Facebook)
MANILA – The Makati Park and Garden is the latest subject of the bitter dispute between the local governments of Taguig and Makati.
Taguig ordered the closure of the park on Sunday for operating sans a permit.
It also denied the land grabbing accusation, saying the park is within the Enlisted Men's Barrios (EMBO) area which is now under its jurisdiction.
Located in J. P . Rizal Extension along the south bank of the Pasig River, the park is also called Fort Bonifacio Riverside Park or Liwasang Bonifacio by residents.
“Walang karapatan ang Makati na akusahan ang Taguig ng pangangamkam ng lupa. Ang Korte Suprema mismo ang nagsabi na ilegal na kinamkam ng Makati at inukupahan ng mahigit tatlong dekada ang 10 EMBO barangay (Makati has no right to accuse Taguig of land grabbing. The Supreme Court itself said Makati illegally seized and occupied 10 EMBO barangays for more than three decades),” the Taguig statement read.
On the other hand, the Makati City government said it "will take all necessary steps to protect and preserve our property."
It warned that "should there be violence, it will be blood on Taguig's hands."
"Ang paggamit ng dahas para makamkam ang hindi pag-aari ay hindi makatao at maka-Dyos. Ito ay labag sa batas. Walang puwang ang ganitong asal sa ating makabagong lipunan (Using violence to covet a property is inhuman and is against God. It is against the law. It has no place in our modern society)," Makati's statement read. "The Taguig authorities should be censured by the concerned national agencies."
Makati lamented its employees were trapped when the park was padlocked while Taguig Public Order and Safety Office personnel gathered in front of the park.
"We received information that they will once again attempt to occupy Makati park," Makati alleged.
Taguig appealed to the Makati City government to cooperate to ensure that there will be no disruption on the delivery of health and other services for EMBO residents. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
