Gov’t gets tough on illegal LPG trade

The Department of Energy (DOE) will intensify efforts to go after illegal traders in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry in line with its immediate priorities under President Arroyo’s term, Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez said.

He said one of the agency’s main thrusts is to make the LPG industry a self-disciplining sector. "We have ongoing discussions with the LPG players. We need to convince them to police themselves."

Perez said the DOE will also discourage the so-called "bote-bote" practice wherein petroleum products packed in recycled softdrink bottles are openly sold in the streets.

"I’m encouraging the industry to come up with unique packaging to curb these unsafe practices in the petroleum industry," he emphasized.

The DOE has imposed stricter penalties on LPG violators and has been urging Congress to come up with similar rules against these illegal activities.

It has also created a task force, composed of DOE officials and representatives from various oil companies and LPG dealers, to crack down on these illegal acts against LPG products.

The DOE issued a circular in June 2000 which imposes penalties on underfilling, tampering and unauthorized decanting or refilling, among others.

The circular also requires all LPG industry players to engrave correct tare weight markings, serial number and distinctive collar on each LPG cylinder tank.

Violations of these provisions are subject to penalties of between P1,000 to P4,000 for each cylinder tank.

Records from the Fire Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) show that the number of fire incidents nationwide reportedly caused by explosion of LPG tank cylinders has been on the rise.

In 2000, there were about 268 fire incidents attributable to LPG. In 2001, the number of cases stood at 206.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Association Inc. (LPGIA), for its part, has recognized the urgency of the situation and the need for an LPG bill to combat illegal LPG activities that are becoming rampant across the country.

"There is a silent and deadly crime that is being perpetrated in thousands of Filipino homes. This crime comes in the form of innocent-looking LPG cylinders which are openly pilfered and sold by unscrupulous entities without regard for the welfare and safety of the ordinary consumer," the group said.

The LPGIA is composed of LPG players which include Petron, Shell, Caltex, Total, Liquigaz and Petronas, as well as the Philippine Association of LPG Cylinder Manufacturers.

The bill on LPG seeks to address certain inadequacies of present laws as well as establish a comprehensive framework for the monitoring and supervision of the LPG industry under a deregulated market structure.

This also includes the promulgation and enforcement of product quality and safety standards for LPG cylinders and the enforcement of sanctions for violators.