CLARK FREEPORT —- The contamination issue in a village affected by the recent gas leak from the Subic-Clark pipeline in Dinalupihan, Bataan has been contained.
The Clark Development Corporation said in a statement that a report from Clark Pipeline and Depot Company (CPDC) noted that the leak from a puncture caused by a government construction project in Barangay San Ramon, Dinalupihan has been put under control.
CPDC is the operator of the 67-kilometer pipeline between Subic and Clark, which tapped Envirocare Management Precision Inc. (Empi), that applied containment kits (booms, pads, absorbents, saw dusts) and made use of activated carbon and odor neutralizers.
Empi is a DENR-accredited hazardous transporter and treater. The firm is also tasked to do an environmental site assessment and cleanup works.
A report by Ariel Entico of Empi said that “majority of contaminated water and soil was extracted,” adding that the firm has also submitted sampling results and analysis which revealed that traces of fuel on monitoring wells and ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are within tolerable limits.
Empi will still continue its cleanup works for possible remaining contaminants, mapping of the area, and monitoring activities.
In the consultation meeting held last week, Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia requested for regular updates on the contamination issue.
The CDC met with CPDC officials last week to render reports in order to help assess the situation and conduct remedial measures.
Darwin Chan, CPDC general manager, reported that fuel leak was detected at around 12 p.m. of August 13, which initially contaminated surface runoffs at Barangay San Ramon in Dinalupihan.
In his report, Chan said that there were traces of fuel in the water and soil that prompted the CPDC to close valve boxes 3, 5, 7, and 9 to control and detect the alleged leak and immediately commissioned the Empi.
Previously, CPDC has also conducted smart PIG (Petroleum Interface Gauge) tests to check on the integrity of the pipeline.
The tests yielded negative results for corrosion, cracks and other structural defects. Subsequent similar tests have also been scheduled in the future.
