Pasig orders closure of oil depot

The Pasig City government has ordered the closure of Eastern Petroleum Corporation's oil depot, according to a report by Ian Cruz on "24 Oras" on Wednesday.

Officials of Barangay Bambang and the city's Business Permit Licensing Office decided not to renew the oil depot's permit, which ended last December 31, after residents filed complaints on the foul smell within the area.

"Halos everyday may tawag sa akin dito lalo na pag nagloload sila ng gasolina, umaalingasaw 'yan," said JR Samson, barangay chairman of Bambang.

About 30 employees will be affected by the closure of the oil depot.

But the administration of Eastern Petroleum Corporation insisted that the closure of oil depot was illegal as there is no decision yet from the Court regarding the injunction filed by the oil company.

"The Pasig Trial Court Branch 155, chaired by Judge Maria Cadiz-Casaclang, has yet to decide if it would grant the injunction filed Eastern Petroleum to maintain its depot operations despite of the recent revised zoning ordinance which has not gained finality pending the approval of the HLURB (Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board)," Eastern Petroleum Corporation said.

The oil company also said the government of Pasig City failed to process their application on business permit and license.

It added that their Fire Safety Inspection Certificate, which was issued by the Pasig City Fire Department, has remained valid until November 29.

Meanwhile, residents within the area were pleased by the closure order.

"Laking tuwa po namin, siyempre laking perwisyo sa amin 'yan. 'Pag ka nagpapasalin pa sila, sinasaway namin, tinatawanan pa kami eh," a resident said. —JST, GMA News