THE Department of Energy (DOE) has suspended the issuance of Standard Compliance Certificates (SCCs) to more than 50 retailer-applicants of the newly approved Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) canister while reviewing a measure to prevent illegal backyard refilling.

But it issued an SCC to the Philippine Ecogas Producers Cooperative (PEPC) to make it an LPG canister marketer, said DOE Visayas Field Office Legal Officer Mark Gamallo.

As for the application of Phoenix Corp. in the City of Naga to operate a refilling plant, it is required to revise its equipment after DOE inspectors noticed minor discrepancies.

“Phoenix needs a larger area or they may submit a mitigating measure that will be inspected and approved by DOE,” Gamallo said.

Gamallo said the entry of PEPC as a marketer of LPG canisters should solve the rampant selling of butane canisters refilled with LPG. Refilled butane canisters are illegal because these can endanger the lives and properties of people after having caused several fires, he said.

Earlier, PEPC said it was willing to trade one LPG canister, which costs P250 each, for four butane canisters to make sure illegal canisters were eradicated from the market. (EOB)