Manila councilor renews call for oil depot's transfer

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Councilor Ma. Lourdes Isip-Garcia and the Manileño Kontra Abuso (MKA) movement led a call yesterday for the oil depot to be transferred from Pandacan to the countryside following a fire that razed at least 20 houses behind the depot Saturday.

Garcia urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to rush the establishment of signature stations for their people’s initiative against Ordinance 8187, which allows the depot to stay and permits the introduction of highly pollutive and extremely hazardous industries.

“The fire should be a wake-up call. The depots must be relocated to the countryside where they will not endanger people or destroy property. In the meantime, we urge Comelec to jumpstart the establishment of these signature stations, so as to comply with the laws,” she said.

The MKA urged the Comelec to prioritize their petition, submitted to the poll body last Aug. 25 to revoke Ordinance 8187.

The petition is part of a direct people’s action, in accordance with the Local Government Code and Republic Act 6735 (Initiative and Referendum Act), which provides procedures for registered voters to directly repeal an ordinance.

Garcia said, according to the law, Comelec should establish signature stations so that registered voters in agreement with the petition can sign their names as a manifestation of support. 

She accused Vice Mayor Isko Moreno of deliberately neglecting to act on their petition, “except to protect” Shell, Chevron and Petron, when it was submitted to the city council.

“It was not even referred to the proper committee or placed in the agenda. We believe that in the Comelec, we will have a fair chance,” Garcia said.

– Sandy Araneta