Butane dealers given one month extension

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza is giving store owners and operators one month extension before the city government will start implementing the ordinance that prohibits the refilling of butane canisters.

“I’m giving them until September,” Radaza said.

Radaza said the City Council approved in April an ordinance that banned the sale, use and transport of refilled butane canisters.

According to Radaza, the barangays have already submitted before the Office of the City Administrator a list of stores selling the banned canisters.

“Ato silang suwatan kay atong pahibaw-on unya by next month we will start our operation,” the mayor said, adding that despite the prohibition these canisters are still sold openly.

Radaza explained that safety should not be compromised by convenience as lives and properties are more important.

In Mandaue City, Councilor Malcolm Sanchez is asking Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna to revisit a similar ordinance.

Sanchez, in his letter to Fortuna, said that refilled butane canisters are still being sold along the streets of Mandaue City despite the existing measure against LPG-filled canisters.

“The continued proliferation of refilled butane canisters being sold in the streets of Mandaue, which I observed to be lacking any form of safety procedures, I am respectfully requesting your good office to conduct a review on this current trade,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez was worried after the recent accident in Talisay City in which an explosion occurred after a collision between a truck loaded with butane canisters and a school bus.

“The accident fortunately did not claim any lives and only damaged several vehicles. However, if this trade continues the way it is being carried out now, it is only a matter of time before a disaster will occur,” Sanchez added.

Under the ordinance, a fine of P3,000 on haulers or those who transport LPG-refilled butane canisters. The products will be seized and the vehicle will be placed under the custody of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue and will only be released after the fine is paid.

Owners of commercial and community stores will also pay a fine of P3,000 for first offense and revocation of business permit for the second offense. (FREEMAN)