By Villamor Visaya Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer news correspondent and GMA7/PNA news stringer
CAUAYAN CITY- At least 2-million substandard LPG gas cylinders remain in circulation in the country so the government and private sectors work hand-in-hand to lessen the number, former LPG Marketers’ Association party-list representative Arnel Ty, one of the authors of the LPG Law, said in a news briefing during the LPG dealers’ regional conference at the Hotel Andrea on March 13 afternoon here.
He noted that rusty, old and defective LPG cylinders remain rampant in the country but the number was reduced from about 40 million cylinders being used at homes and businesses nationwide.
“The law mandates us in the LPG industry to actively assist the government by removing substandard cylinders in the market through swapping or surrendering that are given free of charge,” Ty added.
Robert Cardinales, Department of Energy’s LPG Section officer-in-charge, said the law specified that industry players who include the bulk supplier and distributors, haulers, refilling owners, trademark owners or marketers, dealers, retailers and other participants, have been ordered to strictly comply with the new guidelines for safe practices of LPG refilling and distribution.
The DOE is also authorized to conduct random inspection and monitoring and if any player is found to have violated the law, the agency shall order the suspension of the operation or the closure of the facility if the corrective measures are not complied with under the provisions of RA 11592, he added.#
PHOTO:
LPG DEALERS’ BRIEFING. The Department of Energy and the LPGMA party-list spearhead the news briefing to address concerns on LPG issues at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City on March 13 afternoon. (Photo by FELIX D. CUNTAPAY)