Public will judge us--Petron exec
Petron Philippines Inc. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khalid D. Al-Faddagh said it is the public who will judge them if they have indeed neglected their obligation in helping thousands of families in the three towns in the island province of Guimaras hardest hit by the oil spill.
His statement was in response to the call of Dumangas Mayor Rolly Distura and Nueva Ecija Rep. Aurelio Umali to boycott the products of Petron. The politicians said Petron does not seem serious in its promise to clean up the affected areas in the island. The oil spill has already affected 220 kilometers of shoreline, 454 hectares of mangroves and 58 hectares of seaweed farm.
Experts said the devastation on mangroves, a community of intertidal plants including all species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbs found on coasts, swamps or border of swamps is beyond evaluation. It takes quite a number of years to grow mangroves.
The coastline barangays affected with oil spill once is teeming with fishes; there is abundant supply of seashells and other marine products. The island is also placed on the tourism map not only because of the abundance of seafood but because of its pristine beaches. Hardest hit by the oil spill are the 27 barangays in the towns of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo.
Al-Faddagh said the country is an open market to all petroleum companies and the customers have the choice on which petroleum company they want to patronize. However, Petron values the long relations they had with the people in the region, he said.
Petron is already in the business here for 40 to 50 years. "We value our long relationship with our customers in the region and we have already demonstrated our commitment."
Al-Faddagh added that the company will be around to extend help to the affected residents as long as time calls for their presence in the island. "We will not leave Guimaras not until it restores its national beauty."
The company will find the right solution to the problem. "It is the people or our customers who will judge us," he said.
The company estimated the cost of the spilt bunker oil to P6 million. Al-Faddagh said each liter of the industrial fuel oil cost P3.
The M/T Solar I was carrying some two million liters of water when it sank 13 kilometers south of Guimaras last August 11, 2006 due to rough seas.