Committee OKs ordinance prohibiting butane refilling

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Board's (PB) committee on public safety, peace and order has recommended the approval of an ordinance prohibiting the refilling, distribution, hauling and retailing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-refilled canisters.

“This committee finds no legal impediments for the proposed legislative measure...It is consistent with the prevailing policies, laws and regulations,” read the committee’s report.

The proposed ordinance has been referred back to the author, Board Member Glenn Bercede, for representation to the PB for second reading.

The committee, headed by Board Member Sun Shimura, recommended though to outline the “salient and clear procedures” as to how the enforcement should be done, as well as the collaborative efforts of the concerned agencies.

The committee also wants clarification on the penalty scheme, whether or not the local government unit has a corresponding share of penalties collected.

Violators may be facing P5,000 maximum penalty per violation; revocation of permits for commercial and community stores; among others.

Bercede said the measure, which was introduced in August last year, is seen to regulate and address the proliferation of illegally-refilled butane canisters all over the province.

“LPG-refilled butane canisters (poses) high risk of exploding since butane canister (are) only made of tin and is not suitable to handle (the) high pressure of (the) LPG content, which poses a great threat to the public,” he said.

In fact, a truck carrying 6,000 refilled butane canisters exploded following a collision with a school service vehicle at the South Road Properties in Talisay City last August 10.

Among the action plans of the ordinance include the apprehension of haulers transporting LPG-refilled butane canisters by the members of the provincial police office and the traffic offices of the component LGUs; monitoring of all sari-sari stores; ceasing from issuing business permits to firms or individuals who are engaged or planning to engage in refilling; among others. —/GAN (FREEMAN)