More pipeline leaks?

The mystery of the leaking pipeline finally resolved and the culprit named, the government now urgently needs to look at bringing its outdated environmental laws to the 21st century to be able to prevent future incidents that may lead to pollution, and at worse, loss in lives and property.

So far, our lawmakers have managed to draw up some decent statues, in part thanks to new international standards, that cover oil spills that happen in waterways and the open seas. But sadly, there is not one that comprehensively tackles oil – even chemical – spills that contaminates the soil, and sometimes, including the groundwater.

For instance, petroleum pipelines, like the 40-year-old FPIC line, almost always are found to pass through densely populated areas to bring its products to storage depots or installations, or directly to clients in the case of liquefied petroleum used as domestic cooking gas. Should they not be required to declare which are the affected areas?

Existing regulations are apparently not clear on integrity guidelines on upgrading and maintenance for oil pipelines built several decades ago, like the FPIC line. Sanctions for consequent leakages, spills or explosions caused by these long-existing facilities need to be clearly spelled out.

It wouldn’t be surprising if government – or even the residents impugned by the leak in First Philippine Industrial Corp.’s black and white oil product pipeline – would not be able to muster a solid leg to stand on if it tries to find sanctions that will penalize or collect on any wrongdoing.

For sure, the affected residents of the 22-story West Tower Condominium as well as those living in Barangay Bangkal in Makati City will need a good lawyer and plenty of patience as they pursue claims for damages and compensation.

It’s about time

Pipeline companies, operators and owners worldwide, are at a crossroads. Many of them recognize the need to upgrade the quality of their pipes and its operating equipment, but the high cost and the “inconvenience” to the business prevent them from pursuing these.

Built more than four decades ago, the FPIC pipeline is no stranger to this. Its long pipeline – running from the Shell refinery in Tabangao and the Chevron storage depot in Bauan, both in Batangas to their respective distribution hubs in Pandacan, Manila – has been overtaken by technological advances and a quickly growing and encroaching population.

If a crack (or several) had developed in the Bangkal area without FPIC knowing it, chances are there would be others that are about to rupture or may already be seeping small amounts of oil products into the ground.

The cost of rehabilitating the existing pipeline would be costly. Now is the time to seriously do some pencil-pushing and muster the resolve to build a new pipeline. FPIC has without doubt recovered its original investments; it’s also time to give back to society.

Let’s not wait for another incident to happen.

FPIC’s annoying denials

We give way once again to readers who have taken time out to react to the issue involving the pipeline leak. This one is from Emma Toledo of San Fernando, Pampanga.

“After FPIC finally admitted the leak in their pipeline, it was not a feeling of     relief that we felt. Rather, my husband and I were all the more annoyed and “sobrang nainis” because everybody knew already that it was their pipeline that was leaking, and yet they kept on denying and denying.

“If I were a resident of West Tower Condo, I will exhaust all means so that they will pay for their ineptness. The Makati mayor should be more aggressive in dealing with FPIC. Hindi biro-biro yung damages that it has caused to the unit owners.

“Frankly speaking, every time I read about this leak my blood pressure rises. Maybe because I can feel how the residents feel and I know the ordeal they have suffered. It is not a joke to move from a residence to another!

“Thank you because at last I was able to voice out my sentiments about this ‘kapalpakan’.”

Another P-Noy embarrassment?

We have several Star Online readers who felt compelled to give a reaction. The next one comes from tarsier: “Government may be less enthusiastic in pinning responsibility to this company as its owners were one of the biggest supporters of Noynoy. This could be another potential embarrassment to Noynoy if this company is allowed to continue to be dismissive and evasive.

“Logic will show the fault could only be pinned on this company, it being the only entity who maintains an underground fuel pipeline along the area where there is a gasoline leak.”

FPIC’s lost corporate social responsibility

From phfesa: “In my reply to a colleague who asked “Whatever happened to corporate social responsibility?” I said:

“The so-called ‘corporate social responsibility’ to many corporations, not only those operating in the Philippines, is just for show, a press release, an advertisement meant to win the public’s attention, support, and loyalty to their products and/or services.

“But when critical situations erupt, like in this case, that tend to cast the company in bad light, denial and diversionary (cover-up) tactics are immediately drawn up to preserve company image.

“Somebody must have knocked FPIC’s senior management’s heads for the company to finally admit the truth.”

More from Star Online readers

Following next are some bits and pieces from more Star Online readers. From guynextdoor “The residents of West Tower should sue FPIC for damages.”

From smoothe: “The Lopez-controlled FPIC was caught in a lie after months of serious denials. There’s an oil leak near an oil pipeline so who else would be the source of the leak be? Typical it’s a ‘deny till death/prove it’ mentality.”

From leoness: “FPIC should be sued for misleading the public and for inconveniences or endangering everybody especially [those living] in that condo and the surrounding areas.

“Also, that Pandacan depot must be hurriedly transferred somewhere else away from the public before any jihad-ists get any ideas.”

Collegiate basketball update

Sixteen teams, 12 from Luzon and Metro Manila “mother leagues” and four from Visayas and Mindanao, will vie for the six slots remaining in the Sweet 16 Finals of the PLDT-SMART sponsored Champions League (PCCL) 2010 Philippine Collegiate Championship.

The following teams will compete in the Luzon-Metro Manila zonal (Nov. 10 to 12 at the Arellano University gym) for four seats in the Sweet 16 Finals: the National University Bulldogs, the UE Warriors, Letran Knights, the Arellano University Chiefs, the UPHS-Laguna Saints, the Sta. Monica Cougars, the Lyceum Philippines Pirates, the University of Manila Hawks, the St. Francis Doves, the San Beda College-Alabang Red Lions; the Computer Communications Development Institute Wildcats (Luzon-Bicol champion) and the University of Baguio Cardinals (North-Central Luzon champion).

Two seats are at stake in the Cebu zonals (Nov. 14 to 17 at the Cebu Coliseum) where the following are competing: the Southwestern University Cobras, the University of San Carlos Warriors, the University of Iloilo Wildcats (Visayas Islands champion), and the winner of the ongoing Mindanao regional games.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net and submit your choice of the six qualifiers to the Sweet 16 Finals.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.