3 face raps for illegal LPG sale

THREE persons were charged by Daanbantayan, Cebu police before the Municipal Trial Court for selling Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-filled cylinders without the Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC) issued by the Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE Visayas Legal Officer Mark Gamallo said that although the LPG-filled cylinders owned by the Philippine Ecogas Product Cooperative (PEPC) are legal as per authority by DOE, the retailer is only an applicant to retail the product and has no SCC.

Gamallo said the three accused, whom he did not name, were charged for transporting petroleum products using a vehicle unregistered with the DOE, and illegal trading since they were selling LPG-filled cylinders without DOE authority.

Under Presidential Decree (PD) 1865, all vehicles used in transporting petroleum products must be registered with the DOE. Gamallo said the vehicle will be forfeited in favor of the government.

“This shall serve as a warning to all parties interested to enter into the business of retailing LPG that mere application filed with the DOE is not an authority that they can sell LPG,” Gamallo said.

Gamallo also said that PEPC has two authorized LPG refillers in Cebu which he identified as Danao Refilling Plant for northern Cebu and Phoenix Corp. in the City of Naga for southern Cebu.

“Refilling from other plants other than those accredited by the DOE for PEPC is illegal, and even those authorized dealers and retailers will be arrested if they are caught,” Gamallo said.

Meanwhile, Fe Potestas of the PEPC Board told SunStar Cebu that their business is now in full operation since March 2019 and anyone can now buy Resalable Welded Stainless Steel (RWSS) cylinders filled with LPG for cooking.

She said households can now buy from their dealers and retailers. This is the legal alternative to the illegal butane canisters filled with LPG.

Potestas said PEPC is also urging the public who have butane canisters to exchange these with RWSS for free. PEPC will give one free LPG cylinder for four butane canisters. (EOB)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph