Makati says permits not needed for padlocked Makati Park

MANILA — The Makati City Law Department on Monday said permits were not needed for the padlocked Makati Park and Garden, which the Taguig government temporarily closed on Sunday due to a supposed lack of permits.

Makati City Law Department head Atty. Don Camiña said that permits were unnecessary because the park is a public park, which he said Taguig acknowledged.

Makati has also said it owns the park located in Barangays West Rembo and Cembo, which were among the 10 villages that the Supreme Court ruled were under the jurisdiction of Taguig. 

Camiña noted that Makati Park houses Makati's other public facilities such as its engineering department and environmental services.

"So lahat ito ginagamit bilang public spaces, public functions. Technically anong permit ang kailangan mo pag ganyan?" he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo, adding that the facility was not a private one or an income-generating business.

Camiña said though that if requirements were needed, the Taguig government could coordinate with them. 

Taguig temporarily closes Makati Park due to lack of permits

JURISDICTION

Taguig insisted that Makati Park was under its jurisdiction and that the closure falls under its authority "to regulate any business, trade, or activity" within the city.

But Makati said having jurisdiction does not automatically mean Taguig has ownership over the Makati Park. 

Camiña cited the case of the Manila South Cemetery, which is located in Makati but is owned by the City of Manila.

He said Makati is looking at all legal remedies possible over Makati Park, adding it would seek help from the interior department for the resolution of the conflict.