Naga residents want Petronas to stop operations

CEBU, Philippines - Naga City residents want the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to stop the operation of the Petronas’ Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Barangay Langtad.

They allege that the company failed to comply with the Fire Code of 2008 and failed to renew its Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC).

Lawyer Julius Caesar Entise who represented the residents said that at least 100 residents petitioned to stop the operation of the LPG plant for safety concerns.

Petronas reportedly mounted its two aboveground LPG storage devices with a capacity of over 2.2 million liters in an area that is just 65 meters away from adjoining residential areas.

Under the law, LPG tanks with a capacity at 378, 000 liters should be located at least 122 meters from adjoining properties.

At least 25 Naga City residents trooped to Capitol yesterday during the regular session of the Provincial Board and asked for intervention from the provincial government.

Entise said they have also written a letter to Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong last week to ask for his help on the matter.

“We are hoping for the positive actions for the part of the city government. We can ask for the suspension of the operation until such time the Petronas’ plant in Naga shall have secured the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate which is required under the law,” he added.

“This is for accountability. If something happened in that area, somebody has to be held responsible for it,” he said.

Petronas earlier claimed that it did not violate the standards under the Fire Code and LPG Code when it put up the gas plant in Naga City.

In an investigation report, the Regional Internal Affairs Services of the BFP-7 ruled that Petronas did not violate the law. BFP asserted that the storage tanks were mounted and designed in adherence to the American Petroleum Institute – American Society of Mechanical Engineers (API-ASME) Code.

Chief Inspector Vondrad Dubluis of the BFP-7, however, affirmed that the temporary FSIC of Petronas expired on December 31 last year. Petronas’ operation continues, though.

“Despite the non-issuance of the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate, the LPG Plant of Petronas in Barangay Langtad still continues to operate in reckless disregard of the law,” said the letter of the residents sent to BFP regional director Senior Inspector Ma. Luisa Hadjula.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale is eyeing at bringing the concerned parties together for a dialogue.

“We will have a forum about this. Take note that we do not decide on this matter. We only facilitate,” she said.  (FREEMAN)