SC allows firm to resume using oil pipeline in Makati City

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has allowed the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) to resume the operations of one of its pipelines, which were ordered closed after an oil leak affected a condominium in Makati City.

In a five-page resolution, the high court said the writ of kalikasan and the accompanying temporary environment protection order, which Chief Justice Renato Corona granted to the residents of West Tower Condominium, only covered the white oil pipeline system (WOPL) which was delivering gas and diesel fuels from Batangas to Pandacan oil depot in Manila.

The resolution dated May 31 was released to the media on Monday.

The court said the orders did not include the 105-kilometer black oil pipeline system (BOPL), which had been delivering bunker fuel from Batangas to Sucat, Parañaque City.

“Wherefore, the court hereby clarifies and confirms that what is covered by the November 19, 2010, (orders) is only the WOPL system of respondent FPIC. Consequently, the FPIC can resume operation of its BOPL system,” the magistrates said.