FPIC issues apology for pipeline leak

The First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC) on Monday issued an apology to the people affected by the pipeline oil leak in Barangay Bangkal in Makati City. "Sa inyo pong lahat: Kami ay taos-pusong humihingi ng inyong pang-unawa, pagpapatawad at pagpapaumanhin sa aming naging mga pagkukulang," FPIC officer-in-charge Anthony Mabasa said during a Senate hearing on the oil leak on Monday. (To everyone of you, we are asking for your understanding and forgiveness for our shortcomings.) He said the FPIC has learned an "invaluable lesson" after a great number of people suffered because it took them several months to locate the source of the leak and repair it. "Regrettably, we did not extend any help until we were sure that the leak was from our pipeline. We should have been more compassionate, more caring, and more sensitive," Mabasa said. Sana po ay bigyan ninyo kami ng inyong pang-unawa at pagkakataon na gawin ang nararapat (I hope you will give us a chance to do what is right)," he added. However, he assured the public that even though "ultimate liability" has yet been established, they are doing whatever they can to "compensate fairly" those affected by the pipeline leak. Mabasa also said the company would clean up any environmental contamination that the leakage may have caused. "We will do all of these with urgency, compassion, and with the assiatnce of the best experts available," he said. Mabasa said that since the oil leak was confirmed late October, the FPIC has begun repairs on the leak. He added that they will soon complete "preventive reinforcement" of the adjoining pipe segments. He also said they are also digging additional test wells in the leak area and in other areas near major infrasturctures along the route. He added that they have contracted the services of a decontamination and environmental engineering specialist to implement the remediation and cleanup of the affected areas. Mabasa said they have coordinated their efforts with the task force formed by the Makati City government to ensure "greater transparency" and "effective results." As of posting time, the hearing was still going on. - VVP, GMANews.TV