abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/02/2010
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DoE) plans to construct a pipeline to bypass a damaged portion of a duct that supplies around 60% of Metro Manila's gasoline.
The Batangas-Manila pipeline, owned by Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC), has been ordered shut by the Makati government on reports that it was the source of a petroleum leak in a residential condominium in the city. Residents of Barangay Bangkal in Makati have also complained of noxious fumes since July.
To assure stable supply of fuel to the metro, DoE Secretary Rene Almendras said the bypass was needed as repair of the existing pipeline would take time due to structural limitations.
"It's very complicated, you cannot open up that whole thing. They have to be very specific [as to where the leak is]. Why don't we already start building a bypass rather than wait for weeks or months to eventually find the leak," he said.
"I need the pipe running as soon as [possible]," he added.
The pipeline supplies about 50% to 60% of Metro Manila's fuel from the depots of Pilipinas Shell and Chevron Philippines in Batangas.
Almendras and officials of the oil firms met Tuesday morning to discuss possible augmentation of fuel supply during construction of the bypass pipeline.
Foreign consultants of FPIC will also arrive Tuesday to work on the design and alignment of the new oil pipeline.
The bypass will take about 2 to 3 weeks to be completed, officials estimated.
Fuel tankers exempted from truck ban
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila and Development Authority (MMDA) has exempted fuel tankers from the truck ban on major thoroughfares.
This was in line with efforts to ensure stable supply while the bypass pipeline is being constructed.
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