EMBO students to start paying UMak fees next school year

THE reclassification as non-Makati residents of University of Makati (UMak) students who live in the 10 EMBO barangays transferred to Taguig City will take effect next academic year, the university’s Office of the Student Regent (OSR) has announced.

UMak, which is owned and operated by the city government of Makati, provides free higher education to students who are city residents.

The UMak had earlier announced that starting the second semester of academic year 2023-2024, all EMBO barangay students will be classified as non-Makati residents and will already be required to pay P3,000 as tuition fee, on top of miscellaneous fees.

UMak said in an advisory: “After consultation with Mayor Abby Binay, the reclassification of UMak students from the EMBO barangays as non-Makati residents will be effective next school year instead of next semester.”

This, it said, will give students and their parents “ample time to prepare and adjust.”

The Supreme Court ruled on December 1, 2021 and affirmed with finality last September 28, 2022 its decision declaring the 10 EMBO barangays as part of the territory of Taguig City.

The 2021 decision permanently barred Makati City from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.

Last week, Makati City announced that EMBO residents will no longer have access to the health benefits offered under its “yellow card” program, which provides subsidized health care to beneficiaries.

It also announced the closure of health centers and lying-in clinics in the said barangays.