I-Witness presents ‘Malampaya, Islang Bakal’

CEBU, Philippines - It is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Isolated in the middle of the ocean, gas platform workers have to contend with extreme weather conditions, loneliness and the threat of fire and explosion.

Out in the West Philippine Sea, the Malampaya Gas Platform produces 300 million cubic feet of natural gas everyday which supplies 40% of Luzon’s power needs. More than its contribution to the economy, the 59 platform workers bear the responsibility of operating a multi-billion dollar facility in the safest way possible. An accident bearing so much gas running in a 500 kilometer pipeline all the way to Batangas would be catastrophic. This is why, in Malampaya, safety is an obsession.

Working on a platform is unlike any other job on land. There is no phone signal and there is no other way to get to the platform except through a helicopter. However, there is a gym, a music room, a clinic and they are served 12-course meals every day.     

For the first time on Philippine television, Malampaya opens its doors to “I-Witness” for a documentary about the extraordinary lives of the people working in a gas platform. Hosted by Sandra Aguinaldo, catch the “Malampaya, Islang Bakal” episode tonight after “Celebrity Bluff” on GMA 7. (FREEMAN)