DOE backs crackdown vs illegal LPG refillers

MANILA, Philippines – The Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) has gotten the support of no less than Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi against illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refillers by improving standards in the industry.

In a statement issued yesterday, IPPCA said Cusi has given his commitment to go against illegal LPG refilling activities, an issue that needs to be addressed since it puts consumers lives in danger and causes damage to properties.

In his meeting with the organization, the Energy secretary said the agency would revisit existing regulations and work on improving the standards industry stakeholders should subscribe to, which includes penalizing and preventing refillers from refilling other LPG companies’ cylinders.

The new regulations should not discourage investors but should focus on ensuring the quality of cylinders and safety of consumers. “Thus, we commit to do something about this and come up with a certain regulation,” Cusi said.

The use of unsafe and refurbished LPG cylinders is one of the top three causes of fires and deaths in the country as cited by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

According to IPPCA, Cusi acknowledged the DOE could be held administratively and criminally liable if they do not protect the interest of consumers and industry stakeholder, particularly in instances where there deaths.

IPPCA president Fernando Martinez said the association has always been willing and committed in helping the government address this issue of illegal LPG refilling, which the Energy chief attributed to the deregulation of LPG refilling, which allows anyone to just set up and open shops anywhere.

“Industry players invest capital in these quality LPG cylinders and eventually end up losing their cylinders to unscrupulous players who lure consumers with lower-priced refills packages. Consumers are usually short changed as their cylinders are either under-filled or replaced with substandard cylinders,” IPPCA said.

IPPCA includes Seaoil Philippines, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Chemrez Technologies, Filoil, Filpride, CityOil, IEPI, Oilink, Unioil, Pryce Gases, Castrol, Liquigaz, Chemfour, among others.