During public hearing: Group opposes butane ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed ordinance prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of Liquefied petroleum gas-refilled butane canisters in the city has the support of government agencies but drew opposition from a homeowners group.

During the public hearing at the City Council yesterday, Alejandro Cabelino, president of the Punta Princesa Manggahan Homeowners Association said most of the residents in their area are using butane canisters in cooking since it is cheaper compared to LPG.

“Disagree gyud ko nga wagtangon ang butane. Hangyo lang ko sa mga konsehal nga tabangan ug hunahunaon ang mga kabos una mo-botar aning ordinansa,” he said.

Cabelino said the organization has at least 175 member families and about 90 or 95 percent of them are using butane canisters, his family included.

“Dugay nako naggamit og LPG, kanang 11 kilos, pagkahibaw nako nga dunay P12.50 lang nga butane… At that time, naabot og P1,000 plus ang LPG so, gi-try nako ang butane nga 200 grams lang,” he admitted.

Cabelino said his family used to consume the 11-kilo LPG in just a month. When they shifted to butane, they consumed 21 canisters worth a total of P250 a month, which is way lower than the P1,000 price of the LPG.

“Dako kaayo ni og savings para namong mga pobre. Kahibaw man ta kinsay majority dinhi sa atong dakbayan nga mga pobre gyud,” he said.

He believes a butane canister and an LPG tank have the same risk of exploding.

He recalled a fire incident in 2009 in their area caused by an 11-kilo LPG, which affected over 20 families.

“Kon maghisgot ta of safety, 2009 sa October nasunog among lugar, 20 ka pamilya ang nasunogan. Kusog kaayo ang buto kay liman ka’g 11 kilos gud na. Kon ikompara nato sa 200-grams nga butane, sa tan-aw nako, mo-buto man tuod pero dili pareha sa LPG,” he contended.

Councilor David Tumulak, author of the proposed ordinance, said he is not proposing to ban the butane canister per se.

Tumulak said the purpose of the ordinance is to ensure the safety of consumers.

He said he is only proposing the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, and distribution of Liquefied petroleum gas-refilled butane canisters and not the use of butane.

He said LPG should not be used to refill the butane canister since both do not have the same chemical components.

The Department of Energy, Department of Health, Bureau of Fire and Protection, and Cebu City Transportation Office are supporting the proposal.

DOE-7 Director Antonio Labios and DOH 7 representative Miguel Herson also appealed that the public support Tumulak’s proposal.

DOE Legal Officer Russ Mark Gamallo said the passage of the ordinance would help specify the prohibitions under existing laws.

BFP Cebu City Marshal Rogelio Bongabong, Jr., in a position paper, said the passage of the proposed ordinance would safeguard the public against the hazard brought by the use of substandard LPG-refilled canisters, as well as providing precautionary and regulatory measures in its manufacture, sale, storage and handling.

In a separate position paper, CCTO Acting Department Head Rafael Yap said his office is also supporting the passage of the ordinance.

Before final deliberation by the council, the proposed measure will be returned to Tumulak for him to amend the same in case there are recommendations he wants integrated into the proposal. (FREEMAN)