It seems some quarters are quick to put the blame on the First Philippine Industrial Corporation for the gas seepage at the West Tower condominium in Makati City.
But what these quarters forget is that in all accidents, especially industrial as in the case of the West Tower gas seepage, the underlining factors on how it came about play a crucial role in the real resolution of the case. Not immediate judgment or finger-pointing without knowing all the facts.
While some may be well-meaning, those immediately putting the blame on FPIC will not serve any purpose but to muddle the issue. Determining the source of the seepage is one big step towards the right direction. Next step is finding out what really caused the leak and not attribute the whole incident to FPIC.
For one, reports have shown that FPIC has been on top of the situation from Day One. It immediately cordoned off the area to protect residents of the West Tower condominium. They hired top-notch Middle East-based German geology firm, First Balfour, to determine the source of the leak. Through rigorous tests and exploration, FPIC was able to determine the source of leak as coming from its pipeline.
It is important to note that the seepage was found near the base of the southbound lane of the Magallanes flyover along Osmena Highway in Makati City. Experts have pointed out that the seepage may have been caused by an inordinate amount of stress coming from the walls and load-bearing posts which have visibly manifested cracks and are situated above the FPIC pipeline.
As the pipeline was built before the Magallanes flyover was constructed, it is highly possible that it the Magallanes flyover was put without consideration of the pipeline underneath leading to erosion or damage of the pipes over time. With a construction that may have little or no consideration to the pipeline underneath, we could expect that destruction is sure to happen in the long run.
FPIC, which is known to carry out efficient and excellent pipeline services, had built the pipeline along the Magallanes ramp to last at least several decades employing the strictest engineering rules prevailing at that time. It is therefore unfair to heap the blame on FPIC too early in the day.
In the first place, FPIC, which is known for its corporate social responsibility, has made sure that the public safety is upheld at all times. Its workers have been working 24/7 to mitigate the situation. It has implemented a faster and safer method for excavation with the concurrence of the Makati City government and the DPWH. FPIC also made sure that adequate repairs are completed the soonest possible time taking into account maintaining structural integrity of the Magallanes Inter-change ramp.
FPIC is also set to implement a program that will minimize the expected fuel shortage as a result of the disruption in the operation of the pipeline.
There is no point blaming each other at this time. It is reassuring however, that FPIC has been very professional all throughout this endeavor, employing its CSR initiatives by putting public safety and well-being first and foremost in its handling of this incident.
While PFIC is a professional organization, and having been silently supplying Metro Manila with more than half of its fuel for transportation and industry, there is a need for it to start its work unhampered and in close coordination with agencies concerned like the Makati City government, UP-NIGS, DPWH, the energy department, and triple A contractor First Balfour.
In an advisory, FPIC showed how committed it is to resolve the issue. It said that to mitigate any shortage of diesel fuel in the metropolis, it would study the possibility of temporarily diverting a pipeline into the Nichols-Villamor area to establish a temporary loading bay for diesel. This would help oil companies with the more tedious task of having to transport their products into Manila from either Batangas or Poro Point by tanker trucks.
It also continues to locate seepage along the entire 120 meter compromised portion of the pipeline. A temporary by-pass will be constructed until the main pipeline’s seepages are adequately addressed and solved.
Looking for the pin-like hole is no easy feat since FPIC engineers have to contend with the integrity of the structures nearby. Once they find the hole, they can easily plug it and the start of the clean-up can now be put in full swing.
For comments, e-mail at philstarhiddenagenda@yahoo.com