Lim signs ordinance allowing stay of oil depots in Pandacan.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/05/28/09/lim-signs-ordinance-allowing-stay-oil-depots-pandacan
Snubbing prayers of Catholic bishops, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Thursday signed Ordinance No. 7177, allowing oil depots to remain in Pandacan district.
"Sovereignty resides in the people. All government authority emanates from them," Lim said, quoting the Constitution, during a long speech in front of hundreds of city residents at the Manila City Hall.
"Yes, sir, and yes, ma'am. Pipimahan ko na (I will sign it)," Lim said after his audience told him to sign the ordinance.
In his speech, Lim said that not signing the ordinance would leave more than 10,000 Manila residents jobless. He said businesses, not only the oil depots, will leave Manila if he vetoes the ordinance.
"Magiging ghost town ang Maynila (Manila will become a ghost town)," he said.
The mayor also believes that he will not be contradicting the Supreme Court's earlier Mar. 7, 2007 decision, granting the petition for mandamus filed by several Manila residents seeking to compel Manila city officials to enforce Ordinance 8027, which bans oil depots in residential areas of the city.
He said that the Court "impliedly gave remedies" to its own decision. He said the high court said in its decision that the Manila City council can repeal or amend Ordinance 8027.
"I've said again and again, I will not contradict the Supreme Court's decision; and that I have done. The Supreme Court did not only provide alternative remedy for the city, it impliedly gave remedies, such as repealing or amending the ordinance (8027)," Lim said.
The mayor added that before he came up with the decision, he met with all the stakeholders, including businessmen and Manila residents. He said he received similar feedbacks, which all point to allowing oil depots and other business establishment that will be affected by Ordinance 8027 to remain in the capital city.
Lim also allayed fears that the oil depot might be bombed by terrorists, which is one of the main reasons for the passage of Ordinance 8027.
On several groups' environmental concern, the mayor said "There is no perfect world. Everything must be compromised to some degree."
Bishops for veto
Last week, at least 100 Catholic bishops and priests started a signature campaign pressuring Lim to veto Ordinance 7177.
“We are deeply disturbed over the passage of Ordinance No. 7177, which allows the continued operation and establishment of pollutive and highly pollutive industries in our city,” prelates led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales said in a manifesto released last May 19.
The prelates added: “We believe in this day and age, these industries have no more place in the premier city of our country.”
Other bishops who signed the manifesto were Manila auxiliary bishops Bernardino Cortez and Broderick Pabillo and Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Tedoro Bacani, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said in a statement.
The prelates are praying for Lim to fulfil his earlier promise to veto the ordinance, which was approved by a huge majority of the Manila City Council.
“We trust that you will remain true to your word that you will veto Ordinance No. 7177,” the prelates said. “Having been senator and secretary of the republic, we believe that you will take the health and safety of the people as your number one priority. Please don’t fail us.”
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