Parañaque, Taguig to meet on Bicutan market jurisdiction

With the worsening traffic congestion at the Bicutan boundary of Taguig and Parañaque, their respective local governments are set to meet today to discuss the fate of the area – which both have disowned jurisdicion over, much less its uncollected garbage and unregulated vendors.

Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga and Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez are set to meet this morning to thresh out the boundary problem at the Bicutan interchange and finally determine responsibility for the virtually "orphaned" district that also includes the busy Bicutan market.

In interviews made by The STAR, both local governments are adamant in claiming that the area belongs to the other.

"Just because the market is called Bicutan does not mean that it’s ours. What many people do not know is that a portion of Bicutan is actually in Parañaque," said Ana Santos, public information officer of Tinga. Efforts to reach Tinga proved fulfile.

Marquez, too, could not be reached for comment, while his officials were apparently not aware of the dialogue that has been set by Tinga. But Marquez’s community relations officer, Mar Jimenez, disputed the claim of Taguig and insisted that the area belongs to their neighboring municipality. – Jose Aravilla