DOE warns against illegal LPG refilling

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has appealed to consumers in Visayas not to patronize unauthorized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-refilling activities amid the continued proliferation of the illegal practice.

The DOE, through its  Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and Visayas Field Office (VFO), met with LPG suppliers as part of its push to further strengthen the agency’s campaign against the proliferation of illegal LPG-refilling activities, particularly LPG-refilled butane canisters.

“Butane canisters that have been refilled with LPG are prohibited primarily because they are extremely dangerous. These are fire and explosive hazards. We would like to appeal to the public, especially to our kababayans in the Visayas where this illegal activity has been rampant — don’t risk your lives and those of your children and loved ones. Do not buy these illegally refilled LPG canisters,” DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

During the meeting with LPG suppliers, DOE–OIMB assistant director Rodela  Romero and VFO director Jose Rey Maleza stressed the continuing joint enforcement activities being undertaken by the DOE with the Philippine National Police  and the various local government units (LGUs) concerned.

This includes, among others, the filing of criminal and administrative cases against those who have been found engaging in the unlawful refiling of LPG into non-compliant containers, as well as the LGUs’ provision of warehouse space for confiscated illegal items.

Data from the DOE-VFO indicate that since 2017, there have been 72 criminal cases filed by law enforcement agencies against illegal LPG refillers, found mostly in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol.