Task force formed to stop butane refilling operations

CEBU, Philippines - In an effort to stop the operation of unauthorized butane refilling stations in the city, the Cebu City government has tapped various agencies that will be part of a special task force.

Yesterday, Department of Energy-7 officials, together with other offices and agencies, met at the City Hall to discuss efforts to resolve the rampant operation of refilling outlets of butane canisters in the city.

The meeting led to the proposal on the creation of “Task Force Butane”, which will track down unauthorized refilling stations in Cebu City.

The task force will have the support of the city government’s Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bureau of Fire Protection-7, Cebu City Police Office, and the Department of Trade and Industry-7.

DOE-7 Director Antonio Labios explained that refilling empty butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas is illegal since its container is supposedly non-refillable.

The LPG has higher gas pressure that a butane canister cannot contain, which can possibly pose risk to the end users, he stressed.

Lawyer Russ Mark Gamallo, DOE’s legal officer for the Visayas Field Office, said the illegal trade petroleum products, including LPG, is highly prohibited.

Illegal retailing outlets, he said, can be penalized with as much as P60,000, based on the existing department circular.

Gamallo emphasized that any violator will not only face administrative charges but will also be criminally liable.

The legality of refilling operations had been questioned following an explosion allegedly caused by the use of a butane canister in Barangay Kinasang-an which left at least eight persons wounded.

Gamallo said DOE-7 has instructed a field personnel to investigate the matter.

In the meantime, DOE-7 will also formulate the guidelines on the operation of Task Force Butane.

But Gamallo believes it is important to educate first the public since people may not be well-informed on the possible risks of using refilled butane canisters.

Labios shared the same view and stressed on the importance of the support of the local government units as they conduct information drives and eventually the enforcement of the national policies.

CCDRRMC City Councilor David Tumulak agreed that an information campaign should be conducted first.

Tumulak said the city will have to wait first for the directive from DOE-7 if it will ask for the city’s assistance on enforcement.

Apart from the illegal refilling of butane canisters, Tumulak reminded retailers of butane on the requirements of such operation like the standard compliance certificate from DOE, the environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, another certificate from the Bureau of Fire and Protection and the business permit from the concerned LGU.

“There is a possibility of confiscation and closure of their businesses,” said Tumulak, if the necessary documents would not be complied.

He further reminded for the buyers to check if butane containers have safety warnings and proper labeling.

“Kanang mga colorum nga walay ngalan, peligro na nga makasunog ug peligro sa ilang kinabuhi so dapat palit sila sa mga qualified nga outlets,” he said.

CCDRRMC team was able to recover a butane canister with a graphic content “Type O, Tabang sa Masa” which is reportedly from the political group, Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

BOPK founder Tomas Osmeña said that the butane canisters, which are from a livelihood project, are fairly new and are actually imported. He said they are encouraging the users to utilize the new ones which are clean and economical. — May B. Miasco/ATO (FREEMAN)