By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, March 11 (PNA) — Shell Companies in the Philippines (SCIP) said Wednesday it will explore legal options on the Supreme Court’s (SC) final decision regarding the Pandacan oil depot, which orders them to move out.
“We shall study the implications of the Supreme Court decision and shall review the options available to Shell,” PSPC said in a statement.
It assured that Shell will observe the rule of law.
Last month, SCIP Country Chairman Ed Chua said the company filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) on January 5, arguing the depot is a safe facility.
However, he said that if PSPC loses the MR it will shutdown the facility, which it considers as the heart of its business.
Chua noted people working in the depot will lose their jobs upon its closure and the jet-fuel supply at the Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) will be hampered.
He mentioned that a huge portion of the Pandacan lot is owned by Shell, Petron Corp’s facility is owned by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), and Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI) owns its lots through a joint-venture with the National Development Council (NDC).
Chua stressed SCIP wants the experts to decide whether the oil depot poses health environmental risks, which did not happen during hearings during the term of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The chairman also explained Shell does not want to relocate due to the lack of relocation site and the high expenses.
The SC ordered Shell and Petron to submit a relocation plan within six months on November 25, 2014. Chevron moved out of the facility on June 2014.
Meanwhile, CPI said it has not yet received a copy of the SC decision and cannot comment regarding the matter.
But, the oil company said it had filed a Motion for Clarification regarding the Pandacan decision, adding it will follow the final ruling of the SC. (PNA)