DOE Seeks LGUs’ Help in Drive Vs Refilled Butane Canisters

The Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas has urged local government units (LGUs) in the region to help the agency in the drive against refilled butane canisters that endanger people’s lives.

Engr. Rey Maleza, DOE Visayas science research specialist, said LGUs are the best partners in this campaign because they have the police power to close firms and cancel business permits.

Maleza said a refilled butane canister is not only illegal but dangerous.

“In our campaign against this refilled butane canister, we emphasized not only the violations of the law but the danger that the people are facing,” Maleza said.

Several fires in Cebu city and Metro Cebu have been attributed to exploding butane canisters.

Lawyer Russ Mark Gamallo, DOE Visayas legal officer, said he hopes unscrupulous traders will stop the distribution of refilled butane canisters otherwise, they will be arrested and charged in court.

Gamallo said an LGU which has no ordinance against refilled butane canisters may cite Presidential Decree 1965 on illegal trading of petroleum as a basis in the filing of complaints.

DOE Visayas Director Antonio Labios said they only have seven investigators in the entire Visayas but they managed to handle complaints against violators of the law.

Labios showed videos of several accidents involving butane canisters and the sufferings of the victims.

The DOE said butane is not the same as household LPG.

LPG in the Philippines is composed of a mixture of propane and butane and has a higher pressure than pure butane. (PNA) LDV/EB/EDS