http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police2_july11_2009

Ang dalawang tiga 6th district na bumoto para sa 7177 ay sina Danilo Victor “Dennis” Lacuna at Luciano “Lou” Veloso. Alam nyo na kung sino ang may malasakit sa mga tiga-Pandacan!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4517962.stm

If it can happen in a highly advanced country, there is really no added reason for us to believe that Pandacan Oil Depot is safer.

No amount of talk on the safety of Pandacan Oil Depot will give us people of Pandacan any assurance that it is safe.

GREED. heto talaga ang dahilan ng pagpasa ng pamunuan ng lungsod ng maynila sa extension ng oil depot sa pandacan! wala nang iba pang dahilan.

“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all!
(Psalm 104, 24)

A Pastoral Statement of the Archbishop of Manila and the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Manila regarding the City Ordinance 8187

The passage of Manila City Ordinance 8187 which allows the continued operation and establishment of pollutive industries in Manila is of grave concern to us. In particular, it allows the continuous operation of the oil depots in the areas of Sta. Ana and Pandacan. In spite of a Supreme Court ruling that the Pandacan oil depots should relocate, the local officials still went ahead and issued the above city ordinance. This sad and disturbing development in the decision – making process of our leaders moved us to call your attention. We ask our leaders to revoke City ordinance 8187.

Response in Faith –

Integral human development. The life of the human person cannot be compromised by business industry and experiences. The oil depots are a threat to human life and its integral growths.

Political authority in the service of common good. The continuous operation of the oil depots in the densely populated area of Sta. Ana and Pandacan poses grave threat to the well being of our people. Our political leaders should be reminded of their role to ensure the safety and security of our people.

The intimate connection between environment ecology and human ecology. The preservation of a sound and healthy environment is a priority concern of the church’s social teaching. The sad state of Pasig River being polluted by industrial wastes will ultimately affect the quality of human life.

Pastoral Response – A Call to Ecological Responsibility

1. Let us pray for the revocation of City Ordinance8187 and the eventual transfer of the oil depots in the immediate future.
2. Let us engage in a catechesis of the integrity of creation by “circles of discernment” in our parishes and schools ministry.
3. Let us begin a signature campaign in our parishes and schools for the local government of Manila to revoke the City ordinance and help create an ecologically – friendly city.

Let us renew our commitment to the care of our environment.

+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila

Manila, June 16, 2009

http://www.rcam.org/Homilies/2009/cardinal_rosales/pastoral_letter_city_ordinance_8187.html

Ganito naman ang aking pananaw diyan:

1. Tax losses – the oil depots will be replaced by commercial establishments which may even get more taxes for city hall.
2. Foreign investors will be discouraged to invest in Manila – if you are a company that will harm the environment you should be.
3. Retail cost of fuel to increase – why? are there only 3 oil companies in the country? have you not heard about Seaoil, Flying V, Total, Unioil. I would gladly go past these so called big 3 if they try to sell me 2-3 pesos more per liter. This reasoning is trying to appeal to a broader public but it does not make sense.
4. Safety – the oil companies, the councilors and the mayor who passed this ordinance say that there is nothing to worry about Pandacan. Really? if it can happen in the UK it can happen in the Philippines.
5. Job Loss – if the oil depots will transfer to another location, surely some workers may not want to transfer with them but they will find another job. This is another appeal to public perception. Most workers in the depots do not live in Pandacan.

All of the above are repeatedly being trumpeted by the oil companies, city hall and all citizens who are worried about their 3 pesos. But there is one obvious reason for their fighting for their stay here – how come nobody has the guts to say that the real reason is to prevent profit loss for the oil companies! Yes that is the real reason, it takes billions of pesos for them to relocate and if I were the oil companies, it will make much more economic sense to deal with a few politicians in city hall. Never mind the health and lives of the Pandacan folks just as long as they hang on to their tax collections and profits.

(This is a re-post from my blog)

If only the right people were consulted before this major decision was made in their behalf! Sayang!

This issue can be the rallying point for Pandaqueños to be one in purpose and united in one direction. No other issue in the past has affected the community as the oil depots had done. The people were confident that the Supreme Court decision as final would have been given more weight by the local leaders. The Pandaqueños  were already at peace that the oil depots were on their way out gradually and  surely!

But the City Council had a secret bag or a deceptive trick as others have called it. Now history cannot be reversed!

Let us just wait and see how the Pandaqueños will behave in the aftermath. You should be reading more of  how the heroes from Pandacan had defied those in authority to win victory in behalf of the oppressed. . .

Councilor Bonjay is indeed right in saying that 90% of the locals want the Oil depots out, seconded by the polls here… But the question that hunts every citizenry is where are those 90%.

Good thing the Parish and the archdiocese of Manila spearheaded some forums and rallies, but still those gathering were short to prove that Pandacan is against that ordinance.

Most of us will definitely say that those  (pro-oil depot people) who gathered in the city hall when the ordinance was about to be signed are paid or “nabigyan”, but still they managed to sway the mayor’s  middle stance.
Well probably in addition, the city council may have already recieved their lumpsum in advance…but still the power is in our hands. But why did it happened?

Good thing we have our very own councilor Rivera on our side. Atty Amir Cabigao and company was there all along, but still the controversial ordinance was passed…

Let the value on the Pandacan Day Celebration be planted within every Pandakenyo hearts. Tho little resources were available and blocking a successful comemoration, still, UNITY broke these walls.
The Ordinance may have finally be signed but the supreme court still has to rule with finality with regards to the conflict it did to the previous one kicking these big 3 out.

There is still time to make that 90% felt by the minority… or its the other way around.

MAY PANAHON PA! MAY MAGAGWA PA!
PANDAKENYO… KILOS NA!
MANINDIGAN AT MAGSALITA KA!