The Three Sides of the Box

February 16, 2010 - The fateful date when the State Energy Secretary announced on national television that ALSTOM and San Miguel Energy Corp had signed an agreement to resume the commercial operation of Bataan Combined Cycle Power Plant. For electricity end users, this news might have just brought a sigh of relief, after weeks of fear of looming brownouts in the Luzon grid but for ALSTOM Philippines community, the signing of the new contract culminates the months of uncertainties and trials that were surmounted with perseverance and collective efforts.

In August 2009, it came to us by surprise that the plant was finally sold by the government after a couple of unsuccessful bids in previous years. Moreover, the negotiated sale price (which most of us believed was a bargain) made us uneasy. Indeed, how can we put our best foot forward having such meager value for the owner to start with? There were press releases about the plans, projects and expansion, which went as far as conversion of the plant to gas firing; but nothing in these press releases made certain that ALSTOM would remain as the business partner of the new owner.

The Alstom Contract Capture Team had a series of meetings with the new owner continuously until the end of the year. On our part, we could not deny the fact that most of us kept on asking “What will happen to us come January 18, 2010?”. Those who count years in the company probably thought of separation pays while others considered career changes and going through job hunts. We remained optimistic however, that the new owner will extend the contract.

When the contract was about to expire, the plant was shutdown to standstill on instructions of the previous owner who still had the decision until it was turned over. We managed to squeeze in the preservation of the HRSG (Boiler) systems but not that of the main rotary machines.
The contract negotiations yielded no clear results. Hence, the demobilization plan was issued.

DEMOBILIZATION

Demobilization was the very remarkable experience that everyone went through. It was not just moving out with a large piece of ubiquitous “balikbayan” box; demobilization was moving everything out – personal things, company assets, organization and work functions. In one month of stand-down, everyone has mastered the art and science of systematically packing things. Not only did it give ample time to review and count every piece of document, every minute bolt and screw, each fragile glassware but it also affirmed the value of every employee of the company.

On the other hand, the demobilization undeniably dampened our spirit and each passing day had anxiety to bear. It was ironic that the “balikbayan” boxes contained, not gifts and valuable presents just like what overseas Filipino workers stuffed into these boxes, but old worn out documents and mementoes of 17 years of running Limay. These boxes were seemingly bidding us goodbye. For sure there were also sleepless nights, extended discussions at the coffee machine and longer queues at the Clinic for health concerns.

There were also unsolicited job application papers and offers roaming around the plant (sent out at the behest of the new owner, who initially considered doing the O&M) and even at our doorsteps. Everyone knew that accepting these offers was too risky and unwise. During those times, we could not help but to stick together and keep the integrity of the team.

LAST THREADS OF HOPE
The days grew hotter, the hydro plants output dipped and the country’s Gas supply infrastructure went on an outage planned five years ago. As expected, the Luzon Grid was hit with a power shortage, commencing January 25, catching national attention. We started to hear news that the only solution was to bring back the “de-activated” Limay Combined Cycle Power Plant. Hope in us abounded. To be honest, we strangely wished for brownouts as we thought this was the only way to justify and put the business back on its feet.

The demobilization activity still continued but this time, the gloominess was replaced with feelings of expectations. The balikbayan boxes became a display, ostensibly as risk for the owner of possibly irreversibly losing the services of Alstom. Labels on the boxes simply wished to say “you will be losing time and money to get me back again”. We hang on inside the plant, ready to leave but unwilling up to the last hour.

TURNING POINT
A few days before the scheduled date of complete demobilization, extended brownouts beset the country again. News reports mentioned the unavailability of the plant and the related service contract issue between ALSTOM and SMEC. Government and industry pressures brought the issue to light. The new owner SMEC understood that they were at a crossroad; in the end they decided to place country above profits at the back of a governmental assurance of fair compensation.

The Limay Team, all the while, was preparing for an eventual resumption of operation and have written out a master plan to carry out plant restoration to within half the time that was committed to the Owner. Fifteen hours from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the first GT went on line. Twenty five hours later, the Plant at full base load capacity. Even from deep slumber, willing and inspired hearts doubled their efforts to achieve the target. We also knew that the eyes of the nation were upon us. On this matter, we must not fail. And we did not fail. Our owner would later say that “It was fortuitous that Limay was resurrected on Ash Wednesday”.

THE BEST SIDE OF THE BOX
What else could be better than opening the boxes again with a delightful smile? The boxes finally became gifts of new beginnings.
Now that we have a new contract with a new business partner, we just hope that we shall remain as intact as the box.