BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Residents of the 10 EMBO barangays rejoiced on Monday as the Taguig City Government reopened long-inaccessible public facilities—including health centers, day care centers, and multi-purpose buildings—after a local court ordered the Makati City Government to stop blocking Taguig’s legal possession of these properties.

In a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) dated May 5, the Regional Trial Court of Taguig directed Makati to “cease and desist” from interfering with Taguig’s entry into and administration of government-owned facilities in the EMBO barangays.

The order enforces the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in G.R. No. 235316, which affirmed that Barangays Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo (including Rizal), Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, and Post Proper Southside fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig.

Among the public facilities now accessible under Taguig’s administration are health centers, covered courts, day care centers, parks, and multi-purpose buildings—many of which had been shuttered, cutting off essential services for thousands of residents.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano welcomed the court’s ruling and reiterated the city’s intention to ensure that these public facilities remain open and fully operational for all EMBO residents.

“Malaking tagumpay ito para sa mga taga-EMBO. Ngayong nasa Taguig na ang pamamahala ng lahat ng pasilidad na ito, titiyakin nating bukas at ganap na mapapakinabangan ito ng mga taga-EMBO—hindi isasara, hindi haharangan, kundi pagbubuksan para sa serbisyong noon pa man ay dapat nilang napapakinabangan,” Cayetano said.

Rosalinda Ines, a mother from Barangay Rizal, said she is happy and relieved over the reopening of their health center.

“Siyempre sobrang saya, kasi ang lapit na eh. Hindi na tulad dati na kailangan pang mag-Ususan. Malayo, tapos kung maselan ka pa sa biyahe, mahirap. Ngayon, walking distance na lang—nasa tapat lang ng bahay namin.”

Nanay Fely Amido of Barangay Pitogo also shared her joy.

“Masayang-masaya po kami. Hindi na po kami kailangang bumiyahe sa malalayong lugar. Hindi na rin kami magtitiis sa ilalim ng tolda. Salamat kay Mayora at tinupad niya ang pangako niyang bubuksan ang health center namin.”

Meanwhile, Rich, a youth resident from Comembo, welcomed the reopening of their multi-purpose complex.

“It’s good. Now we have a place to play football and other sports. Before, there wasn’t even a basketball court nearby. This really helps the youth like me.”

The court, in issuing the TRO, recognized the “extreme urgency” of the case and warned that Taguig stood to suffer “grave injustice and irreparable injury” without immediate judicial relief.

Additional services are set to roll out in these facilities across EMBO barangays in the coming days as part of the city’s integration of the area into its health, education, and social welfare programs.

Preparations are in full swing, with equipment and furnishings currently being deployed across the reopened facilities to ensure they become fully functional and ready for public use as soon as possible. 

*All Photos from Taguig PIO