RETAILERS and refillers of LPG-filled canisters asked the Lapu-Lapu City Government not to ban but to regulate the distribution, selling and use of these items.
Jun Alforque, owner of a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) refilling plant in Barangay Mactan, said the City should stop backyard refilling of LPG in butane canisters and ensure safety during the transportation of these.
Alforque along with other marketers and distributors were met by the city administrator to discuss City Ordinance 13-194-2016, also known as the LPG-refilled Butane Ordinance of 2015, which prohibits any person or entity to “refill, distribute, sale and use LPG-refilled butane canisters.”
According to the ordinance, butane canisters are not suited to the gas pressure expected of the LPG.
“Forcing LPG on a butane canister may cause a leak that will lead to emission of hazardous gas that can cause explosion and fire,” a part of the ordinance read.
The ordinance told LPG marketers to procure new cylinders from licensed cylinder manufacturers with their brand name clearly embossed on these. Cylinders should also conform to provisions of the Philippine National Standards.
Vehicles that transport LPG cylinders must have a “substantially flat floor equipped with suitable racks for holding the cylinders.”
Facing a loss
The ordinance emphasized that butane canisters are made of tin canisters, which are not refillable and not intended for the LPG.
“What we wish is that the City Government regulate this and not impose a total ban. For instance, we can have a single trip in transporting the canisters with LPG. Second, we can stop backyard refilling. Third, the transportation of these should also be regulated by ensuring safety,” Alforque told reporters in Cebuano.
Alforque admitted he stands to lose P3 million with the implementation of the ordinance.
Aside from this, he said, the public will be inconvenienced.
“People are now butane instead of wood to cook everyday meals,” he said in Cebuano.
Alforque said they’ve already sought the help of the Department of Energy 7.
Violators of the ordinance face a fine of P3,000.
Store owners will be prevented from selling, while vehicles of haulers will be impounded pending the payment of administrative fines.