Flooded Makati condo may be dry soon, but oil leak source still unknown

MANILA, Philippines – Floodwaters hampering the investigation into the source of an oil leak in West Tower Condominium in Makati might be completely drained by Friday, the Makati fire department said yesterday.

Bangkal, Makati fire chief Leo Andiso said he could not determine the exact amount of water left, but fair weather and continuous siphoning caused it to subside from Basement 3 to Basement 4.

“Hopefully it will be completely removed four days from now,” he said.

Andiso said once the draining is completed, authorities can determine how to prevent the water from rising again.

The building’s sump pit at the basement had been prevented from disposing water at the public drainage, he added. A sump pit is a hole designed to collect water and other spilled fluids in order to avoid flooding in the basement.

Authorities will start looking for the source of the oil leak, which was first detected last July 12, Andiso said.

The leak prompted the city government to force residents of the 22-story condominium building to evacuate for their safety.