SC justice inspects faulty fuel pipeline near Makati condo

Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. on Friday led the inspection of the First Philippine Industrial Corporation's (FPIC) oil pipeline, whose leakage resulted in the temporary closure of the nearby West Tower condominium last year. Velasco had ordered an inspection after West Tower residents alleged that two new holes are causing more spillage near the Capinpin and Del Pilar streets in Barangay Bangkal in Makati. But on Friday, no new sources of leaks were traced, according to a report by GMA News' Ian Cruz. Joining Velasco in the inspection were representatives from West Tower and FPIC, and independent experts from the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) and the state university's Institute of Civil Engineering. Velasco said experts must submit their "report and recommendation to the Court within seven days from today, to guide us, the Court, whether we will approve the motion of the FPIC." FPIC is asking for the temporary lifting of an order so it can test the 117-kilometer pipeline’s structural integrity. The GMA News report on Friday quoted the experts from UP as saying that FPIC can already conduct the pressure tests. Writ of Kalikasan Velasco is the magistrate handling the writ of kalikasan (environment) petition that West Tower residents filed against the Lopez-owned FPIC. In November last year, the SC issued the writ and an accompanying temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) that stopped the pipeline's operations for the meantime. The writ of kalikasan — the first of its kind in the world — is a remedial measure that may be granted by the courts, upon the request of a person or a group of people whose constitutional right to a healthy environment is violated, to compel another party to stop the alleged violation. In its ruling, the high court also ordered FPIC to check the 117-kilometer pipeline's structural integrity. But at a hearing last month, FPIC asked the court to lift the TEPO first so it can run tests on the pipeline. Friday's inspection will determine whether the court will temporary lift the TEPO so FPIC can push through with its tests. At the case's preliminary conference last month, Velasco said that before the High court decides to lift the TEPO, there must be an ocular inspection of the pipeline first. Thus, last March 29, the SC scheduled its April 15 inspection of the pipeline. “If the fuel runs, it may affect the safety of the people there. If the two of you [West Tower residents and FPIC] agree, you can set an inspection. This is important to us before we issue the resolution enabling you [FPIC] to conduct the test," he said. “We are inclined to grant [FPIC's prayer] because these tests have to be conducted. But these allegations [of two new holes] are important. You must do some repairs before we allow you to test the pipeline," Velasco added. — LBG, GMA News