WITH the issue of the health centers at the Embo — Enlisted Men’s Barrio villages in Taguig City hugging headlines, the city opted to open a satellite pharmacy in the area.
Earlier, Makati, which had administrative control of the barangays, decided to shut down the health centers in the Embo villages, as they claimed that the licenses for them to operate had already expired.
They claimed that they can no longer extend medical benefits to its former residents living in Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside and Rizal.
Taguig City said in a statement that the satellite pharmacy is located at the Genesis Building on 19th Avenue, J.P. Rizal Extension in East Rembo.
The satellite pharmacy opened Friday and will operate on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Makakuha rito ng libreng gamot na nireseta sa konsultasyon ng telemedicine,” the city government said.
“Maari ring makakuha ng libreng maintenance medicines kung may reseta sa huling 3 buwan.”
Meanwhile, the satellite pharmacy can also accept and process applications for medical assistance.
In a statement, the Taguig LGU said that for those seeking medical assistance, they need to bring a request template; medical abstract; statement of account or quotation; a social case study and a valid ID.
They are likewise processing the Philhealth. They simply need to bring a valid ID or Birth Certificate; Senior ID (if senior); marriage certificate (if married); and the birth certificate for dependents 20 years old and below).
Earlier, the Taguig City LGU said that the Makati city government was allegedly deceiving the public when it announced that health centers in “Embo” barangays had to be closed due to their expired license to operate.
The Taguig government issued the accusation in a post on Facebook on Wednesday.
“Isa itong panlilinlang at panloloko,” it said.
“Hindi kailangan ng license to operate (LTO) ng mga health centers maliban na lamang kung ito ay isang registered primary care facility,” Taguig city LGU said in a post on Facebook.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos had already stepped into the Makati-Taguig territorial issue, as he expressed hope that it will be resolved soon.
Abalos said that the two will undergo constructive and well-meaning talks between the leaders of the two cities.
Abalos made the remark during the reopening of West Rembo Fire Station which was previously closed by the Makati City government, following an earlier Supreme Court ruling transferring the jurisdiction of the so-called 10 Embo Barangays to Taguig City.
“What is important is tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo. Dahil dito, ako ay nagpapasalamat sa City of Makati, and hopefully, we will solve this issue. Kung ano yung mga buhol at gusot, mapag-usapan nang maayos,” he said.
During the same event, Abalos also called for uninterrupted delivery of public services for the affected residents of the Embo barangays who were the unintended victims of the dispute.
