Another oil leak reported in Makati

MANILA, Philippines – As authorities have yet to determine the cause of the oil leak at the West Tower condominium, water from another house around two blocks away in Barangay Bangkal was found to be contaminated with oil yesterday.

Makati City fire marshal Superintendent Samuel Tadeo said the water from a deep well at 2677 Capinpin street tested positive for kerosene, prompting the city government to test water samples from at least six houses in Bangkal whose occupants use deep well pumps.

The test results, which are expected to be out today or tomorrow, will determine the authorities’ next move.

Authorities will dig the pipelines from the West Tower building on Osmeña Highway to EDSA starting today to determine what caused the leak in both the condominium and the house on Capinpin street. Among the streets that will be affected are Pio del Pilar and P. Santos.

DENR test confirms oil leak

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje said yesterday tests confirmed the presence of oil in the liquid found at the basement of the West Tower building.

Paje said when local officials asked them for help, he immediately sent a team to get a sample of the liquid for testing.

“The substance is composed of 30 to 40 percent oil. We already gave instruction for concerned authorities to just contain the liquid for safekeeping so that the one found to have caused the leak, will be responsible for its disposal,” he said. “I understand that the origin of the leak has not yet been traced.”

He said that for the safety of the building’s occupants, they should vacate the building while the investigation is still ongoing. Local officials earlier advised residents to evacuate following the leak detected in the building for more than a week already.

The DENR also said while water samples from the West Tower’s sump pit and basements tested positive for fuel, “lower explosion limit reading indicates that (it has) very low risk of explosion.”

The DENR said it will check pipelines, gas stations, and establishments that have underground storage tanks near the area.