The LPG code

There is a bill pending in Congress that seeks to integrate into one code all measures governing the quality and safety of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) products and to institute reforms in the LPG industry. Finally.

The measure guarantees protection to households and other consumers via stiffer penalties for violation which the Department of Energy wants to include. After all, lives are at stake here.

Stiffer penalties for illegal refillers and higher quality standards for LPG cylinders should make it unprofitable for unauthorized refillers to continue doing business. The bill also makes it easier for law enforcers to spot an illegal cylinder. Mere possession is already punishable, just like an unlicensed firearm. After all, both are instruments for killing

The proposed measure likewise provides for strict requirements for accreditation into the refilling business. There are proposals for businessmen who want to get into the trade to have to post performance and safety bonds, which is good, because it will make sure that the business remains in the hands of people who will take care of their investments and of their market.

These illegal refillers make it appear that their products are the original when they are not. They use legitimate brands to make a quick buck. They also sell products that are underweight by as much as 40 percent and lure consumers into buying by offering lower prices.

We hope the bill could be passed into law before Christmas. After all, there are no clashing political interests here. In the meantime, let’s hope that government authorities will continue with their intensified national crackdown against these swindlers.

MRT-LRT link

Good news for commuters. Bad news for the Ayalas.

According to the Metro Rail Transit Authority, the pedestrian overpass that will link the MRT Taft station with the Light Rail Transit (LRT) EDSA station will be available for use before the end of the month or early next month at the latest.

Right now, those who take the LRT and wish to transfer to the MRT have to literally go down to Taft Avenue in Pasay and then walk and go to the MRT Taft station by passing through the Metropoint Mall at the corner of Taft and EDSA. This is not only a waste of time but also a waste of energy.

Sadly however for the Ayalas, there will be less people going to the Metropoint Mall.

Project update

According to sources, the government has brought down the cost of the proposed MRT 3 extension project (from the Quezon Ave. station all the way to Monumento) by more than P1 billion ($22 million), or 10 percent of the original $213 million project cost. The $22-M reduction came from cuts in administrative and financing costs.

This developed following a review of the project by Presidential Adviser Secretary Gloria Tan Climaco who was tasked by President Arroyo to look into the project cost beginning last July. Climaco worked with the Department of Transportation and Communication through undersecretary Jose Cortes and the project proponents led by Bob Sobrepeña.

The same sources revealed that another $5 million in reduction would be made by halving the project monitoring office (PMO) budget. With the cost issues out of the way, the project can proceed faster and hopefully be finished by 2005.

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