LPG re-fillers, dealers undergo safety seminar

CEBU, Philippines – The association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas re-fillers and dealers in Cebu yesterday conducted a safety seminar to prevent accidents involving their products.

At least 70 LPGas dealers attended the six-hour safety seminar organized by Cebu Budget LPGas Association, Incorporated.

Douglas Labra, president of the association, said it was agreed by the board of directors to conduct the safety seminar to help prevent accidents.

Ed Antiligando, a technical expert who used to work in one of the country's giant oil companies, taught the participants how to prevent accidents while transporting butane-filled canisters.

John Velasco, a member of the board of directors, has encouraged LPG dealers to be equipped with fire extinguishers which can be used immediately during emergency.

 "Kinahanglan sab nga ang kada dealer magbutang gyud og signage nga mag-remind sa mga pumapalit nga kun anaa sila sa baligyaanan dili sila magkadlit og pusporo ug magpasiga og lighter nga posibleng maka-ignite og sunog," said Jun Alforque, another board member.

Antiligando and Velasco said LPG canisters should not be transported through motorcycles unless the canisters are placed inside a box and the persons who transporting it should carry with them a small fire extinguisher.

According to Labra, his group will cooperate with the local government units and the Department of Energy in the review and drafting of the Philippine National Standards, Product Standards and any pertinent laws, ordinances or codes of practices concerning Butane-LPG canisters to facilitate the legalization of the new industry.

Labra said the association is hiring two lawyers to help them prepare the required documents to be submitted to the DOE in order to legitimize the industry because it is being adopted already by the public, particularly the poor families.

Former mayor Tomas R. Osmeña has strongly supported and endorsed the use of the Butane-LPGas stoves because it is cheap, convenient to use, readily available and handy. He even allowed Labra to use Type O as his brand of canister.

Osmeña believes that it is one of the reasons why Mayor Michael Rama has instructed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to go after LPG-filled canisters.

Velasco presented a 2015 report of the Bureau of Fire Protection showing that electrical misuse and short circuits are the common cause of fire and not the butane or LPG-filled canisters.

It was reported that the DOE officials already coordinated with the police to assist them in the campaign against LPG-filled canisters.

The association will formally ask DOE regional director Antonio Labios to suspend the campaign until after the issue is settled. —/FPL  (FREEMAN)