Yearender: Manila marks 2009 with oil depot ordinance

The signing by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim of a city ordinance allowing the continued stay of the depot of the country’s three largest oil firms in Pandacan, Manila topped events in the city in 2009.

Lim signed on May 28, 2009 a city ordinance allowing Chevron Philippines Inc. (formerly Caltex Philippines Inc), Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., as well as other heavy- and medium-scale industries to continue operating at the Pandacan oil depot despite apprehensions over possible terrorist attacks and accidents.

Lim signed Ordinance 7177, which amended Ordinance 8119, creating a Medium Industrial Zone and Heavy Industrial Zone, as residents and supporters of the retention of the Pandacan oil depot cheered the signing.

During the 10-day period given to him to decide on whether he should veto or approve the new ordinance, Lim assured residents that he consulted all concerned stakeholders and reviewed all their concerns.

Lim said deciding on the fate of the ordinance was one of the most difficult decisions he had to make since he became mayor in 2007.

He also stressed that the welfare of the people and not politics was his primary consideration.

“If we can strike a balance between the right of the people to a balanced and healthy environment vis-à-vis the right to livelihood and sustainable development, then we must do so. There is no perfect world. Everything must be compromised to some degree to best suit the needs of most and not to satisfy the demand of a few or fears of some, especially if it is unfounded,” Lim said.

Ordinance 7177 amended Ordinance 8027 by reverting to industrial classification the land use of the Pandacan oil Depot.

A majority of 20 Manila councilors voted to pass the ordinance, while the 14 minority councilors tried to block it.

In 2007, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of the 36-hectare Pandacan depot to protect the residents of Manila from the catastrophic devastation that will surely occur in case of a terrorist attack on the Pandacan terminal.

The High Court decision upheld Manila City Ordinance 8027 issued during the time of then Mayor Lito Atienza, which called for the clearing of the Pandacan district – classified as a residential area – of the terminals of the three big oil companies.

But Lim argued that Ordinance 7177 would not contradict the Supreme Court ruling, nor does it run in conflict with Ordinance 8027 and 8119.

Lim also said the city government stands to lose P100 million every year from the business license fees and real property tax of the affected industries, inclusive of the three oil companies.

Lim also expressed worry that if he had vetoed the ordinance, it could trigger an exodus of foreign investors.

“This could send the wrong signal to our investors that we are not protecting their continuous tenure in the areas where they operate,” Lim said.

Lim said if the oil firms relocate the depot to Batangas, for instance, it could trigger an increase of P2 to P3 in the price of crude oil and gasoline.

Filling empty coffers

Meanwhile, Lim said that during the start of his term as mayor in the city in July 2007, the city treasury was in a negative cash position, with a deficit of P1.8 billion.

However, Lim said his credibility and integrity in government office enabled him to receive numerous donations from various sectors that covered the financial requirements, including donations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, for basic services to the city’s residents.

Upon Lim’s return as mayor, one of his earlier accomplishments was the creation of the satellite offices in the six districts to reduce the queues at City Hall from those getting birth, death and marriage certificates.

He likewise institutionalized the regular Friday People’s Day as his way of opening the doors of city hall to the complaints, concerns and suggestions coming from Manila residents.

On the other hand, in one year alone, the City Treasury was able to improve its tax collection that gave it a position to grant its employees a Christmas bonus and rice subsidy for the Christmas season last December 2009.

He increased the salaries of city employees by 10 percent and added P500 to the financial assistance allowance or from P2,000 to P2,500 per month.

No-vendor policy

Meanwhile, Lim reiterated his no-vendor policy in all parts of the city so that pedestrians and motorists could use the road. He said that his policy for allowing sidewalk vending is that the vendors will only use a uniform size of 1 x 1 (square meter) and vending is allowed only until 7 p.m. after which the vendors must leave so as not to impede the traffic. Violators were asked to look at alternative sites – Muelle del Banco Nacional in Escolta (from Jones Bridge to MacArthur Bridge); the vacant lot of Duty Free in Divisoria and the two private lots in Quezon Boulevard – for vending.

He ordered the lighting of major roads, bridges, thoroughfares, plazas and parks and in particular the lighting of dark streets in Tondo, Manila where frequent holdups and crimes were committed.

He ordered then MPD Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales to add 100 men and deploy all 38 motorcycle cops to the major intersections during rush hours of 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. He also ordered immediate adoption of three shifts (of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) so that the cops will have time for their families but must be on standby in cases of emergencies.

Lim also ordered the Manila Police District to put an immediate end to the gang wars in the city citing records of the Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission that over 30 street gangs caused trouble in Metro Manila like the notorious Trece Hudas, the Bulabog Boys and Walang Sawa sa Alak (Wasalak).

Rival denies Lim’s claims

Former environment secretary Lito Atienza denied Lim’s claim that he left the city bankrupt when he stepped down as Manila mayor in 2007.

“He said the city hall was bankrupt. But what is he talking about? In June 29, 2007, my last day in office, when I stepped down, I took the records of the city treasurer. Because I know he will be lying about this. He has a habit of telling lies. I took the record on that day in order that I would be able to have proof about this,” Atienza said.

Atienza said when he stepped down, the city government had P2.6 billion in cash and had no debts.

“My question is where did he use the money? Why did he not save income for the city? Therefore, he failed managing the fiscal affairs of the city. He is failing and he will continue to fail,” he said.

Atienza also vowed that if he is again elected as Manila mayor, he will resume his campaign to revive Manila.

“Definitely I will revive it. I proved that what Manila needs is sustainable development, education, infrastructure, economics, social, cultural, and government services. That’s what we are pushing for. I was hoping that Mayor Lim would improve what I made,” he said.

Atienza said Baywalk was the “engine of development for Manila,” and a recreation for our poor.

“But look what Lim did. Instead of improving it, he removed it. If the problem here is the noise, he should have put a solution to it. But saying it is a center of prostitution and drug distribution, that’s a lie,” he said.

Atienza said he will revive Baywalk if he is elected.