Makati firemen probe possible leak along oil pipeline

MANILA, Philippines - Makati firemen and private engineers are working to stop a possible oil leak along the Batangas-Manila oil pipeline under the Sergio Osmeña Highway in Makati.

Makati Fire Marshall Samuel Tadeo said they are closely working with engineers of the First Philippines Industrial Corp. (FPIC) to trace the source of the seepage at the corner of General Garcia street and Sergio Osmeña Highway in Barangay Bangkal.

Engineer Efren Impreso, FPIC pipeline right of way division head, said the seeping liquid is a mixture of water and a petroleum-like substance.

He said there have found no leaks in their facilities in Bangkal.

Impreso said they placed an empty one-liter bottle in the area where the liquid was seeping. “It took us 40 minutes before the one-liter empty bottle was filled up,” he said.

Impreso said they immediately sent personnel to Barangay Bangkal after receiving a report that gas was seeping from the area since 8 a.m.

“There was no authentic findings yet that what is leaking is diesel,” he said. “What is leaking right now is all water from the area where the seepage was first reported to have occurred.”

Impreso assured residents in Bangkal that the seepage is under control.

“In terms of safety, the area was properly ventilated, there is no fume,” he said. “Possibly the seepage came from a septic tank or an old tank underground. We are not taking chances. We are still trying to trace the source of the seepage.”