Today, we celebrate the National Flag Day, a prelude to our yearly celebration of June 12 Independence Day. It is an equally important day for all of us, especially the City of Manila, to exercise our independence on making the toughest decision which may be unfavorable to some but must be beneficial to many.

Exactly ten days ago, the city council thrust onto my shoulder the difficult decision of approving or vetoing its proposed unnumbered Ordinance (7177), which amends Ordinance 8119 by creating a Medium Industrial Zone (1-2) and Heavy Industrial Zone (1-3). Thus, 7177 provides the continued stay of the highly contested oil depot of the ‘big three’ namely Petron, Chevron, and Shell.

We must be proud of how far we have come to embrace our modern world and be proud of our country as we have reduced our import dependence by building factories alongside the present oil depots that have been the cornerstone of our development over the past 93 years since the first stone was laid and contract signed to proceed with facility were oil is securely stored under modern-day technologies.  

It is difficult because I had to weigh between the short and long term social and economic impact of not only relocating the oil depots to another site but also the cessation of other industrial companies as well and vetoing the ordinance to accommodate the noisy pleadings of a few, who claim to represent the interest of residents in the area.

However, in the consultations that followed, I learned for myself that this will not only involve the City of Manila but also will create a major impact in Metro Manila areas and parts of Luzon, therefore our country as a whole. A bigger effect for a greater number of individuals, starting from ordinary citizens, to local and foreign businessmen / investors.

Getting to the bottom of things meant conducting numerous consultations and dialogues with as many sectors as possible, local and foreign, including our very own national agencies, and even with those less congenial or trusting of my leadership. I had to continuously watch my every step and keep my views close to my chest lest I trigger a firestorm of controversy especially from people with political and personal agendas who constantly wait at every turn for my slips.

At last, today, I finally remove the heavy burden off my shoulder by succumbing to the interest of the greater multitude of people and of my country. I know my decision to approve this ordinance will be questioned before the Supreme Court in a bid to delay its implementation. I am confident that I have made the right decision albeit unpopular to some, after due diligence and proper consultations with different sectors, big and small. I have made the decision for the good of all.

Let those who oppose my act as father of the city, revisit the different ordinances, agreements and orders in support of my present decision for them to get a better historical and legal perspective. For only after such due diligence can they truly argue their case. No matter how the public perceives my decision, I stand firmly by it. After all, the mark of a true leader makes the right decision, however unpopular it may be.