Makati cries foul over Taguig’s ‘rejection’

The local government of Makati City on Sunday lamented the local government of Taguig's alleged "unreasonable" rejection of Makati proposals which impedes the smooth transfer of city-owned health facilities and services.

Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said that the Makati local government proposed memorandums of agreement pertain to eight barangay health centers and the health data of their patients, and Ospital ng Makati.

However, it was allegedly rejected by the local government of Taguig.

"We have initiated a series of correspondence and memorandum of agreement proposals to the City of Taguig aimed to facilitate the smooth transfer of Makati-owned health facilities to its jurisdiction. However, these have been rejected outright, without valid reason. Unfortunately, Taguig seems adamant about taking over our hospital and health centers without acknowledging our ownership rights," Certeza said.

In a letter to Mayor Lani Cayetano, a MoA was proposed by Mayor Abby Binay for Ospital ng Makati, which contains an offer extending a substantial credit line to Taguig.

The credit line is intended to ensure that affected residents can continue to access the essential health care services at the city-owned and managed hospital.

Certeza said that as stated in the draft MoA, the credit line will "function as a financial safety net, enabling Taguig City to provide essential health care services to its residents without immediate upfront payments, particularly in cases where beneficiaries may not have the means to cover their medical costs themselves."

"Makati is even willing to allocate millions in funding for this credit line to Taguig to avoid any disruption in health care services. Yet, Mayor Cayetano refused to even consider the proposal, opting to put off any discussions regarding OsMak, purportedly in deference to the wishes of the Health secretary," Certeza said.

To recall, the Taguig City mayor said in her letter that Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa himself would take the lead in any discussions regarding Ospital ng Makati, and that both cities must defer to his wishes.

In another letter to Cayetano, Binay also offered Taguig the option to lease or to purchase the land and improvement of eight health centers, subject to the appraisal of the Commission on Audit.

However, Cayetano has allegedly declined the offer, again citing a supposed directive from the Health Secretary to "exclude the issue of ownership in the transition process."

"Makati is willing to let Taguig use its properties without asking them for immediate payment. We are, in fact, deferring to CoA to determine the reasonable amount to be charged," Certeza said.