Big 3 oil firms to comply with Supreme Court ruling on depot

MANILA, Philippines – The ‘Big 3’ oil firms have manifested their intention to comply with an order of the Supreme Court to permanently close their depots in the Pandacan district of Manila.

In a compliance report submitted to the Supreme Court and Manila Regional Trial Court last April 15, Chevron Phils. Inc., Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said they were eyeing “areas between their refineries and import terminals in Batangas and Bataan and the market in Metro Manila” as possible relocation sites for their 36-hectare depots.

In selecting the relocation sites, the firms took note of the several criteria: Location, transport accessibility, health, safety, security and environmental aspects as well as economic viability.

They also said they would choose a site with less bureaucracy for land use permits, clearing of rights of way, giving the relocation project a “national significance” status, as well as for funding needs.

“Conceptual designs of a future relocated facility or facilities are being developed. However, as of this time, the concepts are limited only to the preliminary plans with respect to the type of facilities, extent of processes, variety of products, and level of operations that are envisioned for a new site or sites, all for the purpose of coming up with preliminary and high level cost estimates,” the “Big 3” reported.

The oil firms revealed that they have designated their respective employees, with varying specialties and diverse professional backgrounds, in an ad hoc capacity, to constitute their own respective teams to study the different aspects and the most viable options for a possible relocation.

They said the groups have convened and met over the past months but reported only within each company. They plan to consolidate their efforts for the relocation.