‘Cell phones can set off combustion’

MANILA, Philippines - You know that smoking near a gasoline source can be risky. But what about using your mobile phone?

There have been actual incidents of cellular phones triggering combustion, petroleum players warned recently, as they reminded the public of safety measures when using petroleum products such as gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The reminders were issued in the wake of a gas explosion at Two Serendra condominium at the Fort Bonifacio Global City on May 31.

The safety measures cited by industry players include not using the cellular phone when refueling vehicles, turning off the vehicle engine and not smoking while within the premises of gasoline stations and LPG stores.

The oil players attended the Industry Emergency Response (IERO) 2013, organized by the Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP) at the Clark Freeport Economic Zone in Pampanga last week.

PIP is the national association of oil companies. Members of the PIP include Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc., Total Philippines Corp., PTT Philippines Corp., LiquiGaz Philippines and Isla LPG Corp.

Through different audiovisual presentations, oil company officials said cellular phones have set off combustion.

Zenaida Monsada, director of the energy department’s oil industry management bureau, also reminded the public not to buy fuel sold in bottles.

Monsada said the unregulated nature of the “bote-bote” retail practice is dangerous because it poses health and fire hazards to both the retailers and buyers.

She said that in some provinces, people resort to buying fuel oil in bottles because there are no gasoline stations.

Isla LPG Corp. chief operating officer Ramon del Rosario said their company follows very strict safety rules in their business.

“We follow very strict safety rules. If we, for example, take a project like what we do for all our customers, we do a thorough process in terms of ensuring safety. These include tank inspection, pipe inspection, and of course the workshops and seminars we conduct for the users,” Del Rosario said.

Despite the blast that rocked Two Serendra last May 31, Del Rosario said the use of piped-in gas for condominiums, offices and other establishments, remains safe and acceptable.