Group launches fund drive vs oil depot

MANILA, Philippines – The Manileño Kontra Abuso (MKA), composed of non-government organizations (NGOs), associations and civic groups, launched yesterday their “Piso-Piso Laban Sa Oil Depot” fund-raising campaign.

In a statement, the MKA said the campaign, launched at the Philippine Columbian, in Paco, Manila, will be the people’s fund in the fight to repeal Ordinance 8187, which allows oil depots and industries manufacturing highly pollutive and extremely hazardous substances to remain in Pandacan, Manila.

The appeal to sustain the fight against oil depots and other industries is to all concerned citizens, not just residents of Pandacan or Manila, said Tony Santos of the Samahan Ng Magkakapitbahay Sa Timog Balagtas (SMTB).

Santos said the fund-raising against Ordinance 8187 is necessary for the petition to be able to move to the next level, which is the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Danny Isiderio of Tabak-Task Force said in taking the petition to the Comelec and offices, expenses are inevitable.

“The fund will be used to disseminate relevant information on the depots, the dangers they pose and other pertinent matters. We expect to have expenses for legal fees, photocopying and printing of materials, mobilization, other requirements under the law, miscellaneous costs and other actions that we may have to undertake,” Isiderio said.

He said the fund is a symbol of the people’s united stand against “environmental degradation and corporate greed.”

Councilors who voted against Ordinance 8187 and those who advocate the relocation of the depots, contributed part of their salary to the fund, Isiderio said.

He added that the accounting for the fund, collected by a central committee, would be transparent and open to the public. – Sandy Araneta