Drive vs butane refilling revved up

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government is intensifying its monitoring of backyard butane refillers in the barangays.

The move came after authorities have found four illegal refilling stations operating in Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City where a fire broke out at Sitio Kalubihan last August 15, allegedly caused by the explosion of butane canisters refilled with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Following the incident, the City Council has urged the Mandaue City Police Office, in coordination with the barangay captains of Mandaue City, to implement the expressed provisions of City Ordinance No. 13-2015-1005 otherwise known as the Anti-Refilled Butane Ordinance and monitor possible backyard refillers of butane in the barangay.

“Time and again, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been urging the general public to refrain from patronizing the illegal LPG-refilled butane canisters as there is a high risk of explosion,” said Councilor Jimmy Lumapas who sponsored the ordinance.

Lumapas said the City of Mandaue is at the helm among many local government units when he steered into passage the ordinance which sought to prohibit the illegal use, manufacture and distribution of LPG-refilled butane.

“It is the manifestation of the City Government of Mandaue City to direct the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) through the able and wise stewardship of Police Colonel Jonathan Abella in coordination with the 27 barangays of Mandaue City to implement with strict compliance the mandate of this City Ordinance and determine possible existence of backyard refilling stations of illegal butane in the barangays of Mandaue City,” Lumapas said.

In order to come up with an action plan that will prevent the spread of refilled containers, the agencies tasked to lead the strict enforcement of the ordinance are the MCPO and the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) in close coordination with the Technical Working Group of the Department of Energy (DOE) by apprehending haulers of refilled butane canisters, who usually transport them by the use of motorcycles.

On the other hand, the MCPO and the barangay officials and its tanods, in coordination with the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards, shall monitor all commercial and community “sari-sari” stores that sell butane canisters.

The owner of the commercial and community store shall be appropriately charged, and the refilled butane canisters in his possession shall be taken into custody by the city government for evidence purposes and proper condemnation thereafter.

The City Treasurer’s Office is directed to refuse or cease from issuing business permits to firms or individuals who are engaged in the refill of butane canisters.

Violators, who are haulers shall be held liable to pay an administrative fine of P3,000 within 24 hours from the time of apprehension. During the 24-hour period, pending the payment of the administrative fine, the motorcycle or vehicle used for the commission of the offense shall be taken into the custody of the TEAM, subject to the towing fees.

However, when the administrative fine required is not paid, after the 24-hour period, the motorcycle or vehicle used for the commission of the offense shall be impounded in favor of the City Government, and shall only be released to the owner upon payment of its corresponding towing fees and an administrative fine of P5,000.

Violators, who are owners of commercial and community stores, shall be held liable to pay an administrative fine of P3,000 and, after the payment, the owner shall be ordered to refrain from selling of refilled butane canisters otherwise the business permit will be revoked on subsequent apprehension.

However, when the commercial or community stores do not possess a business permit, the owner shall be held liable to pay an administrative fine of P5,000. In addition, he shall be compelled, for a prescribed period, to secure a business permit for the operation of his commercial and or community stores provided he will not be selling refilled butane canisters.

If in the event the owner of the commercial or community store does not secure the necessary business permit, after due notice, the establishment may be subject for permanent closure and may further be padlocked in consonance with City Ordinance No. 13-2014-925. (FREEMAN)