Pandacan oil depots’ gravest danger to Manila

In the current controversy regarding the relocation of the oil depots in Pandacan, the uppermost question that comes up to any thinking person’s mind is: "Why was it ever allowed in the first place?" There is not the slightest doubt that the oil depots belonging to Caltex Philippines, Petron and Shell Philippines are the greatest security threat in Manila. If a terrorist would set it ablaze or throw a bomb in the depot, Manila will undergo its greatest tragedy since liberation. There are 300 million liters of fuel and other petroleum products stocked there. The place would be a burning inferno and Malacañang Palace is located close to the depot.

Again, why was the oil depot placed right inside the city? And why is it that it is only today that the issue is a critical question? Is it because of the World Trade Center tragedy? We had terrorists here long before they struck in New York. The real wonder is why they chose so many insignificant targets.

There is no doubt about it, the oil depots in Pandacan will have to be transferred elsewhere. The real question is: "How soon can this be done?" Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has publicly announced that Manila will not renew the licenses and permits of the three oil companies to store their highly flammable products inside the city. The oil companies claim that it will take a minimum of ten years to move their facilities to a new site. What will happen when Manila Mayor Atienza refuses to allow the three oil companies to replenish their fuel stock in Pandacan? If the oil firms don’t have an alternative place to store their petroleum, very clearly the nation will undergo a fuel shortage. The fuel companies will need time to establish their new depots. What is a reasonable time for such an operation? The oil firms say ten years. Mayor Atienza pointed out that is what they said ten years ago. But then, they made no effort to move. So we are back to year one.

Why were past Manila Mayors silent about this very serious threat to Manila residents? And why did the three oil companies choose to stock their dangerous product right inside the city in total disregard of the people’s safety? We are glad that Mayor Atienza has brought this great threat to Manila residents to the nation’s attention. But, sorry to say, he has also brought it to the terrorists’ attention. The Pandacan depots will now be the major target of terrorists attack in the World Trade Center in New York. All this is because the past Manila administrators and the three major oil companies operating in the Philippines showed total disregard for the safety of their customers.