Court expert to decide on PPIC pipeline reopening

The Court of Appeals is set to appoint its own expert who will determine whether the court will allow the reopening of the 117-kilometer oil pipeline owned by the Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC).

The expert will also validate the findings and recommendations submitted by the Department of Energy (DoE), according to Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr.

“Based on a (previous hearing), the Court of Appeals declared they will appoint an amicus curiae, or a friend of the court—an expert who will determine if the court should allow the reopening of the pipeline, look into the damages and entitlement. The Court of Appeals will seek experts’ [opinion] as what the DOE did,” Layug explained.

The energy official is hoping for a speedy resolution of the matter as the appellate court has been given by the Supreme Court up to 90 days to resolve the matter and terminate the proceedings.

The DoE had earlier filed a motion before the CA to recommend the reopening of the pipeline, as the results of the borehole, segmented pressure and leak tests all confirmed its stability. The reports of the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences, the UP Institute of Civil Engineering and Societe Generale de Surveillance likewise declared the pipeline to be safe.

Should FPIC be granted the approval to open its pipeline, the Lopez firm is expected to first conduct a 48-hour test to ensure the integrity and stability of the pipeline.

The pipeline was shut down in October 2010, after it was found out to be the source of the oil that had leaked into the basement of West Tower Condominium in Barangay (village) Bangkal, Makati City.

The discovery prompted the city government to order the evacuation of all residents in the 22-story building and the declaration of the surrounding areas as a “danger zone” due to the possibility of an explosion.