Regulation of butane pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak has proposed an ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of butane and prohibiting the refilling, sale, distribution, and use of LPG-refilled butane canisters in the city.

The proposed ordinance entitled “The Anti-LPG Refilled Butane Canisters Ordinance of the City of Cebu” was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinance, and Styling for review.

“It is undeniable that numerous accounts of previous fire incidents in the City of Cebu were identified to have been caused by the leakage and explosion of LPG refilled butane canisters,” read the proposed measure.

“To put an end to this pernicious practice, there is a need to enact a law designed to ensure the safety and to protect families, homes, properties and the community from disasters brought about by the unsafe practice of refilling butane cannisters with LPG,” it added.

Section 4 states all manufacturers, distributors, dealers/retailers who are involved in the manufacturing, sale and distribution of butane products are mandated to use only facilities and equipment that complies with the specification, design, fabrication, inspection, marking and requalification  provision of the safety codes set and observed in the industry.

They are also mandated to use store canisters that conform to the provisions of the Philippine National Standards (PNS) and to the standards prescribed by competent authority; and ensure that LPG shall not be stored in butane canisters, among others.

The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), Department of Energy (DOE) field office inspectors, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and barangay officials/ representative, with the assistance of the police and other concerned government agencies, shall conduct regular inspection of all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers/dealers.

Retail outlets and sari-sari stores engaged in the selling or trading of butane in the city shall also be inspected during reasonable business hours to ensure their compliance with the provisions of the ordinance and other existing circulars, rules and regulations issued by the DOE.

Section 7 states among the prohibited and penalized acts are engaging in the manufacture, sale and distribution of butane products without the required business permit issued by the Office of the City Treasurer; and stamping cylinders and canisters with wrong or misleading labeling such as the tare weight and filling butane gas in inappropriate containers.

Also, manufacturing, sale and distribution of butane filled canisters without seals, tampered or inappropriate seals; and filling or refilling of butane gas near residential areas and other areas not designated for such activity, among others.

The violators shall be penalized with an administrative fine of P3,000 and any vehicle used in the transport of butane canisters shall be impounded for first offense.

For second offense, violators are required to pay P5,000 in administrative fine and impoundment of vehicle used in the transport of illegally refilled butane canisters.

 As for third offense, cancellation or revocation of business permit. — KQD (FREEMAN)