Caltex hails government effort to resolve oil depot issue

Caltex Philippines Inc., the local arm of Chevron Texaco of US, lauded the government yesterday for exerting an extra effort to resolve the Pandacan oil depot issue.

"We applaud and encourage the current climate that Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez, and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, are jointly creating to find an appropriate balance in ensuring that Filipino social needs, business and economic concerns are carefully considered over the future of Pandacan terminal," Timothy Leveille, Caltex Philippines country chairman, said.

Leveille also believed that the result of the talks on Pandacan would lead to an amicable solution that will address the interests of all stakeholders.

According to Leveille, the results of the risk assessment analysis to determine the safety standards at Pandacan Terminal were revealed to Perez.

He said the study had been requested by the Department of Energy (DOE) months earlier to address concerns by citizens and government officials over the safety of the Pandacan operations.

The study, he said, was conducted by the world-recognized Houston, Texas-based firm, EQE International.

He said the findings, built on scientific research models, showed that while there were two areas that required attention in the terminal, overall risk of an event was low.

The results of the study, he added, supported the conclusion that overall, the Pandacan risk environment is manageable and well within acceptable standards in similar facilities in Europe including Great Britain.

"Even though the results of the study are positive, we are committed to further improve on these safety standards," Leveille said. – Donnabelle Gatdula