SC Orders Removal of Pandacan Oil Depot in Manila

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the relocation of the Pandacan oil depot, as it posed danger to the residents of the City of Manila.

The Pandacan oil depot houses the oil storage facilities of the three major petroleum companies in the country.

The high court struck down as unconstitutional Manila’s Ordinance No. 8187, with 10 justices voting for and two against.

Ordinance No. 8187 was enacted during the incumbency of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The ordinance had provided the continued stay and operation of oil depot in the 33-hectare compound in Pandacan district.

Chevron, Shell, and Petron maintain storage facilities in the depot.

Supreme Court Public Information Chief Theodore Te said in a news briefing that “the continued stay of oil depots placed the residents of Manila in danger of being terrorist target.”

The Court’s ruling orders the incumbent mayor of the City of Manila to cease and desist from enforcing Ordinance No. 8187.

The ruling added “In coordination with government agencies and the parties involved, he is further ordered to oversee the relocation and transfer of the oil terminals out of the Pandacan area.”

The Supreme Court gave the companies 45 days to submit to the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 39 a “comprehensive plan and relocation schedule, GMA news online report said.

The parties involved have 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.

Source: GMA News Online

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