Palace mulls moving oil depot out of Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is studying a plan to move the Pandacan oil depot from the nation's capital after a warehouse in Sta. Ana district allegedly leaked oil and other fuel products into the Pasig river over the weekend.

 

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday that the Office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa is undertaking the study after the issue was elevated to the Office of the President.

 

“Pinag-aaralan po yan ng Office of the Executive Secretary and we will let you know kung ano ang magiging resulta ng pag-aaral na yun,” Lacierda said at a a press briefing.

 

An approximately 100 liters of bunker oil was discovered at around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Sta. Ana and Pandacan side of the Pasig River in Manila after residents in nearby area complained about the foul odor late Saturday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

 

The oil spill caused foul odor reaching as far as Malacañang, with residents around the affected areas complaining of breathing difficulties.

 

Authorities contained the oil spill was contained on Sunday.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard said its Marine Environmental Protection Unit is now conducting investigation into the incident and was directed to get samples of oil.