Published
June 24, 2019, 9:18 PM By Minerva Newman
CEBU CITY – The Department of
Energy (DOE) warned the public anew on the proliferation of illegal
LPG-refilling activities, particularly LPG-refilled butane canisters.
These are fire and
explosive hazards,” DOE secretary Alfonso Cusi said during a recent meeting
with LPC suppliers operating in the Visayas.
Cusi, with officials of
the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and Visayas Field Office (VFO) met
with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) suppliers operating in the region last
June11 in a move to further strengthen its campaign against the proliferation
of illegal LPG-refilling activities, particularly LPG-refilled butane
canisters.
He appealed to the
public not to buy these illegally refilled LPG canisters because using them
would be risky, especially in the Visayas where refilling of butane canisters
with LPG is rampant.
Data from the DOE-VFO
indicated that, since 2017, there were 72 criminal cases filed by law
enforcement agencies against illegal LPG refillers which were found mostly in
Cebu and Bohol. Of the 72, 42 cases resulted in convictions, imposing penalties
of either imprisonment, fines, or both, according to VFO Director Jose Rey
Maleza.
DOE – OIMB Assistant
Director Rodela Romero and VFO Director Jose Rey Maleza briefed the LPG
suppliers on the continuing joint enforcement activities of DOE with the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and the various local government units (LGUs).
Maleza said that this
includes among others, the filing of criminal and administrative cases against
those who have been found engaging in the unlawful refilling of LPG into
non-compliant containers, as well as the LGUs’ provision of warehouse space for
confiscated illegal items.
DOE directed the LPG
suppliers and marketers to closely monitor their respective downlines as a
measure to block supply sources of illegal refilling, strictly comply with the
monthly reporting of LPG distribution and to transact only with industry
players bearing DOE-issued Standard Compliance Certificates.
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