READERS ON THE OIL PIPELINE AND SENIOR CITIZENSHIP
The Philippine Star
08/20/10

Once again, we give way to our readers. In particular, we are featuring reactions and comments on our two earlier columns (“An Initiative Rebuffed,” 06 August 2010, and “Senior Act,” 09 August 2010).

Our first reader, Rex Lagmay, has zeroed in on the pipeline that links the Shell and Caltex facilities in Batangas to their Pandacan depots. He writes:

“I am an avid reader of your column. I understand too that you worked for Shell for a long time. I am writing you because of the recent news regarding the oil leak at West Tower in Makati. Up to now, they are still trying to trace where the oil is coming from. Reports say it could be diesel, kerosene or others.

“It occurs to my mind that there are pipelines from Batangas to Pandacan via Lipa, and according to newspaper reports, it is owned by First Philippine Holdings, Inc. I understand that this corporation is owned jointly by the Lopez Family and Shell.

“I heard that the pipelines were built in the 1950s, which makes it more than 50 years old by now. I was also shocked to hear that in the 1990s it was also used to carry LPG, but it was stopped when they found out the lines were too old to carry the pressure of LPG.

Cause for worry

“I am bothered by the fact that I live south of Manila and I do not know where the pipeline passes. In the 1950s when they built it, I could understand that the area where it passed was not inhabited that much. But now, practically all land along SLEX is occupied by houses and buildings.

“I am worried if the owners maintain the pipelines regularly, as I am worried about the integrity or the suitability of the lines given its age. I am not an engineer, but I do not know how they check the thickness of the pipes, as common sense dictates that corrosion could have set in as the pipes are more than 50 years old.

“I'm also wondering whether the government, through the Department of Energy and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is monitoring the integrity of the pipelines.

“For me, it would be a good idea if the public would know where the pipelines are passing, so we can be prepared. Do you think an explosion is possible, even if the pipes are underground, since kerosene, jet fuel and gasoline passes through the pipes?”

From a distraught condo unit owner

The next reader, who for now wishes to remain anonymous, is an angry unit owner of the Makati condominium which was recently in the news. He writes: “Today, I read your article titled “An Initiative Rebuffed.”  Reading down your article, it mentions of the recent oil leak noted in the basement of a Makati Condominium building.

“The FPIC, who maintains the gas pipeline from Batangas to Pandacan has declared that there was not leak on their pipeline, but instead pointed to the condominium building. They even dug in front of the building and openly said there was no leak, but secretly patched up the leak after they had shut of the valves.

“Of course, the leak stops when the valves are shut, so no smell and fumes.  So they weld or fix the leak and then open the valves and again openly say there was no leak as there is no smell of gas and so no fumes. Would you believe their statement? 

“If there was indeed gasoline and oil in the basement, then the building owners will be very rich as they are now owners of an oil field and processed gasoline.  For sure this can’t happen.  But how can the FPIC which is owned by the Lopez Family, cheat the common people and wash their hands from the responsibility of paying for the restoration of the homes of unit owners of West Tower Condominium.

“Unit owners can only guess what has happened between FPIC and city hall.”

Senior citizens well-deserved benefits

Gloria Viola sent this letter by email on her views about my column on senior citizens’ privileges. She writes:

“On first reading, I thought you were taking the cudgels for us, the senior citizens. On second reading, I sensed your pessimism of the future because of the freebies that we enjoy in our senior state. I may be wrong, and please correct me, do you also think that soon we may pose a problem – a burden?

“I was at Pioneer Center supermarket to buy some of the groceries my husband and I needed – and it made my blood boil to find out that they would only give me the 5 percent discount if I paid in cash. No discount at all if I used my credit card. And the lady in charge was showing me some Xerox copy of a BIR exemption or something.

“I thought the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs was under the Department of Trade and Industry! Because I needed to go home with the groceries, I let go of the 5 percent discount fumingly. I have not seen a copy of the RA 9336; maybe I should get one to arm me.

“But it is not all sugar-and-spice to us. Look in the green and white books. We do not get a discount from our purchase of basic toiletry needs – bath soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, cologne and the like, and to think that I only get the Johnson Baby and Palmolive products!

“We are not expected to smell good – not even to have creamer in our coffee. Are you really amused when you see our kind trooping to Jollibee and McDonalds with our great grandchildren – or you shake your head in fear of an economic plunge because of these ‘freebies’ we get?

“After this, I may not enjoy my coffee and pie even at burger king because other citizens may not appreciate the freebies we get. How sad!

“By the way, I have paid my SSS premiums loyally for 34 years. Maybe I deserve all these limited breaks? Don't I? Don't we?”

It ought to be in the law

To Gloria and all other senior citizens, I am also a proud holder of the senior citizen card and I also get irked when establishments give me a round around before granting what is due us per existing laws.

I checked with my friends in the BIR as to their role in the implementation of the new law granting of VAT exemptions to us. The reply was BIR's concern is to ensure that VAT being collected by establishments is remitted to BIR. Apparently, it is not their concern whether we are granted an exemption or not. I’m not also sure whether DTI is the proper venue. The law is silent on this.

I am a member of a golf club and until now, the club is charging VAT on senior citizens who are members of the club, saying the club is exempted from the senior citizen law.

These are but two issues I intend to pursue until clarifications are made by the appropriate government entity. Thank you for your inputs on this particular issue.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, SalcedoVillage, 1227 MakatiCity. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net