THE Department of Energy (DOE)-Davao confiscated 2,164 illegal butane canisters in Bankerohan and Agdao public markets on Monday, September 17, 2018.
DOE senior science research specialist Theodric Alingalan said some butane canisters being sold in the market are not fit to contain flammable content, which may contribute to unwanted fire incidents.
“Ito po talaga ay delikado. But we always remind our customers na ito po ay ipinagbabawal sa batas. We must also see to it na safe rin tayo. (This is highly dangerous. But we always remind our customers that this is prohibited under the law. We must also see to it that we are also safe),” Alingalan said on Friday, September 21, 2018 in a media forum at Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Ecoland, Davao City.
The DOE have already confiscated around 15,800 canisters since the launch of the operation with the Business Bureau and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in March this year.
Alingalan added that the confiscated canisters were all made up of thin sheets of plastic instead of thick sheets of metal, which is needed to secure the flammable chemical.
He also added that Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio had already issued a directive last September 13, 2018 for the conduct of an aggressive campaign against the selling, refilling, and retailing of unregistered butane canister products.
“Ito kase sinasabi ko, very affordable kase siya at portable kaya madali lang rin siya gamitin (This is what I am saying, it’s very affordable and portable that’s why it is easy to use). But we always remind our consumers that we do not compromise affordability and portability with safety,” Alingalan added.