CPDC: Dinalupihan gas leak contained

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – As part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Clark Pipeline and Depot Company (CPDC) on Tuesday met with the provincial and regional officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address the effects of the reported gas leak in Barangay San Ramon here.

The local government of Dinalupihan led by Mayor Maria Angela “Gila” Garcia, the first responder in the incident, was also represented in the meeting. Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA), led by former Pilar Mayor Charlie Pizarro, and the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) are also in full force following a report from a concerned resident about the incident.

In an interview with newsmen, Darwin Chan, the company’s spokesperson, said that they have already plugged the leak of fuel coming from their pipeline after a series of excavation done by a private water and soil treatment firm.

“On Saturday we have already found the location and plugged the leak. And as of today (Tuesday, February 9) after our pressure testing everything is now okay and we are resuming the operations of our pipeline,” Chan assured.

During the meeting, the DPWH and DENR officials along with the municipal government of Dinalupihan were updated by CPDC officials on the actions that they have taken to minimize the effects, particularly on the environment, of the gas leak that caused road and business closures within the incident area.

CPDC findings said the leak was caused by “a drainage structure on top of our pipeline.” The company officials coordinated with the DPWH office to verify the contractors responsible for the incident.

In 2012, thousands of liters of diesel leaked and contaminated the river and major water sources in Barangay San Pablo, also in this town, after their pipeline was damaged caused by industrial drilling tools in a huge telecommunications project in the area.

Chan said the pipeline that goes from Subic Freeport to Clark Freeport were constructed in the 1960s and was rehabilitated in 1996. “Based on our latest integrity test, our pipeline is very healthy. We are able to continuously maintain the pipeline and ensure that everything is in deep, top condition,” Chan concluded.