Cebu City Gov’t Asks DOE 7 to Enforce Law Against LPG-refilled Butane Canisters

The Cebu City government has asked the Department of Energy (DOE) 7 to start enforcing the law banning the sale of butane canisters refilled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

This came amid reports that a butane explosion caused the fire on Tuesday that gutted houses and displaced more than 500 individuals in Sitios Abaya and Puntod in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

But the Cebu City Fire Department still has to confirm the report as investigation on the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

An explosion of butane canisters on Nov. 3 injured eight employees of a home-based refilling station of Amor Pelenia in Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City.

This prompted the creation of Task Force Butane, which is composed of personnel of the DOE 7, Department of Trade and Industry 7, Bureau of Fire Protection 7, police and other City Hall officers.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said DOE 7 should strictly implement the prohibition on the sale of LPG-refilled butane canisters since under the law it is the only office authorized to do so.

The DOE has issued Department Circular 2014-01-0001 providing the rules and regulations governing the LPG industry.

Under the Rule 8 or the prohibited acts of the circular, selling of LPG in inappropriate containers is not allowed.

The law also specifically prohibits the sale of LPG on single-trip and non-refillable containers and canisters which have been previously refilled with butane.

Violators face fines ranging from PhP1,000 to PhP3,000 for retail and PhP50,000 to PhP60,000 for distribution.

Rama said the DOE should spearhead the implementation of the circular, but he is willing to help the DOE 7. (PNA) SCS/EB/RSM