The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Office of the Secretary (OSec) announced on Thursday that it assumed control over the 14 public schools affected by the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on Taguig and Makati’s land row.

In a statement, DepEd said it recognizes the increasing tension in the 14 schools affected by the decision and the agency must “provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers, and personnel” in accordance to its mandate.

“Pursuant to its mandate to provide a safe and enabling learning environment, and in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of our learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel, the DepEd has issued DO 23, s. 2023, which provides that the Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately,” the announcement said.

With this, all activities to be conducted within the premises of and/or in relation to the subject public schools, including those from the local government units of Makati and Taguig, shall require prior approval from the DepEd-OSec during the transition period.

Concerned school heads shall also directly report and defer to the DepEd-OSec “on matters pertaining to the daily operations of the subject public schools.

The Philippine National Police was also tasked to ensure the strict implementation of the order.

Under said order, the DepEd will create a transition committee composed of a regional director from outside the National Capital Region, both the Schools Division Superintendents of Taguig-Pateros and Makati City and also the legal officers of the two cities.

The transition committee shall “cause the preparation of a physical inventory of all properties involved; collate transition documents including, but not limited to, a complete list of existing contracts involving the operations of the subject schools; and create a Final Transition Plan.”

Cooperation assured

Makati City Mayor Abegail Binay, in a statement, welcomed the decision of DepEd Secretary Vice President Sara Duterte saying the decision is “a step forward in ensuring the uninterrupted and quality education (the) students deserve.”

“We welcome the decision of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to take over the management and supervision of the 14 schools. This decision will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents and teachers,” Binay said.

Binay vowed to work “wholeheartedly” with the team created by Duterte to ensure a harmonious and effective transition.

“Kaisa kami ni Vice President Sara sa kanyang layunin. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro, mga kabataan at kanilang mga magulang (We are one with Vice President Sara on her objective. Let us prioritize the welfare of our teachers, our learners, and their parents),” she assured.

Binay earlier said the city government of Makati is willing to provide free uniforms, shoes, school supplies and other needs to over 30,000 public school students in 14 affected public schools which are composed of Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, and Pitogo High School. (PNA)