Erap supports plan to transfer Pandacan oil depot

MANILA, Philippines - Incoming Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said that moving the oil depot out of Pandacan, Manila will be among his priorities once he assumes office on June 30.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said he supports the call of the majority of the city councilors to transfer the oil depot.

Malacañang has said that it is reviewing the proposal.

“That will be one of my priorities. I am very much in favor of removing the Pandacan oil depot because it poses danger, not only to Malacañang, but to all the residents of the city and the people who are visiting Manila and nearby areas,” Estrada said.

He also vowed to run after the firm behind the fuel leak into the Pasig River last Saturday, although he is still waiting for the result of the investigation being conducted by authorities.

The incident caused panic among residents living in the area. A number of people were brought to the hospital after they complained of difficulty in breathing because of the oil leak.

Violations committed

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) yesterday said that the oil depot responsible for the fuel leak in Pasig River has violated provisions of the Clean Water Act.

LLDA general manager Nereus Acosta said the agency can issue a cease-and-desist order against Larrainne and Marketing or L & M though this will only pertain to operations of its pipes and drainage system, and not really closure of the business establishment as a whole.

“Apart from posing danger to the health of the residents, the oil spill will also endanger aquatic life in the river,” Acosta said in an interview over radio dzBB.

He said that it is the local government that has the power to order the closure of the establishment.

In a separate statement released yesterday, Acosta said they have sent a group to investigate and examine the extent of damages caused by the oil spill. – With Rhodina Villanueva