In its meeting the other day at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Metro mayors comprising the Executive Committee agreed that the presence of the depots in Pandacan poses a grave danger to the lives of thousands, not only in the city of Manila, but in other cities and municipalities.
Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza, who has been pushing for the transfer of the depots in the past few weeks, urged the council and the MMDA to support his call for the big oil companies to act on the matter immediately.
Atienza has given the oil depots an ultimatum of six months to transfer their depots from Pandacan to another site far from populated areas.
He said that the City Council of Manila has passed an ordinance calling for the transfer in spite of the protests of the oil companies.
According to the big three oil companies, it is impossible for them to move out within the six month period because of the cost of such an undertaking.
Atienza accused the firms of mocking him as well as his counterparts because of the firms’ supposed assurance to transfer 10 years ago.
He pointed out that when he was still vice mayor of the city 10 years ago, the firms promised the city government that they could transfer after 10 years.
"Ten years after, they say ‘we really need (another) 10 years’. Niloloko tayo in other words," Atienza said.
Atienza also argued that the assurances of security given by the oil firms are not enough to ensure the protection of the general public.
He cited the incidents of conflagrations caused by oil depot explosions as well as the fears expressed by the Presidential Security Group.
The PSG whose headquarters are located near the depots has admitted to Atienza that they are constantly nervous over the possibility of an explosion and its implications on providing security for the President.
The PSG told Atienza that an explosion from the depots would effectively take away all avenues of transporting the President because the blaze would affect land, air and water channels.
He added that the Philippines is the only country in the world where the depots are located in a populated area of the city.
"Sa kanila pesos and centavos lahat yan, tayo inaasahan ng lahat ng tao ang kaligtasan. Buhay, ari-arian, we cannot be just pesos and centavos with regards to protecting lives and property," Atienza said.
Mayor Rosendo Capco of Pateros proposed the passing of a resolution to support the call of Atienza which was immediately approved by the Executive Committee.
The resolution would be presented to the rest of the Metro Manila Council members during its regular meeting next Friday for approval.