Rama seeks ban on butane refill canisters

CEBU, Philippines - Following the explosion of an empty butane canister in Kinasang-an, Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama now wants a total ban on the selling of butane refill canisters.

At least eight people were injured after an empty butane canister exploded last Tuesday afternoon in Greyhounds Subdivision in Barangay Kinasang-an, prompting Rama to make the declaration.

“Very cheap but false economy,” Rama said. He said many patronize the product because of its cheap price.

According to the mayor, the butane and the liquefied petroleum gas do not share the same characteristics, the reason why the canister is not suited for the gas pressure expected of the LPG.

If it jeopardizes the safety of the consumers, Rama said it is better prohibited.

With this, he asked the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy to come in and help the city in enforcing the law.

Rama said the city government could only help in the information dissemination to all Cebuanos not to support LPG-refilled canisters since it may cause leakage that will lead to emission of hazardous gas, resulting to explosion and conflagration.

Rama directed the City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office to look for those refilling stations that have secured business permits, adding that these should be revoked.

The city should now act to stop patronizing such practice, stressed Rama.

Further, the mayor asked the Quick Response Team, the Public Information Office and other departments of the city to assist in distributing leaflets about the danger posed by LPG-refilled butane cans.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will investigate  on the matter.

“Closure g’yud na siya. Pag-adto namo gahapon, kuyawan ang mga silingan. And dili na sila mosugot nga duna pa’y refilling station didto,” said CCDRRMC chairman and Councilor David Tumulak.

He said closure of refilling stations in the city would likely happen.

Tumulak said he will ask the DTI, the DOE, and the Bureau of Fire Protection for a meeting to discuss solution to the rampant manufacturing and selling of refilled butane.

“Urgent gyud ni atong pagpatawag sa DTI kay rampant na kaayo ni unya peligro na kaayo para sa safety sa consumers ug sa residente diha,” he said, adding that it was not the first incident recorded in Greyhounds Subdivision. —(FREEMAN)