Group supports House measure on LPG safety

MANILA, Philippines – An industry group for the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is pushing for the passage of a bill that will enhance the consumer safety and competitiveness of the sector.

House Bill (HB) 5052 or the LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act of 2011 has yet to be scheduled for reading, said LPG Industry Association executive director Mercedita Pastraña.

Reforms will ensure the safety of customers, increase the powers of government agencies and promote a healthy and competitive environment.

For one, Pastraña said the bill defines ownership of and accountability for the LPG cylinder.

“The brand owner is the cylinder owner, not the consumer. It is their (brand owner’s) responsibility to maintain, replace and repair the cylinders,” Pastraña said.

In the past 10 years, there had been 1,782 fires caused by LPGs, data from the Bureau of Fire Protection showed. Of these, 45 occurred in the first half of last year, 126 for the entire 2010 and 276 from the entire 2009.

Second, new rules will grant the government powers to confiscate scrap, dilapidated and substandard cylinders.

“One of the provisions is the confiscatory powers of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy,” Pastraña said, adding that these agencies currently just issue notice of non-compliance to erring firms.

House Bill 5052 targets to increase penalties and sanctions for violations of consumer safety.

“We try to propose the increase in penalties. It will be millions already and then imprisonment is 12 years,” Pastraña said.

Pastraña said current violators like illegal LPG refillers are only slapped with P50,000 in penalties and imprisonment of as long as two years under existing rules.

Lastly, the bill will promote fair and healthy competition in the LPG industry.

For instance, Pastraña said it will prevent companies from hoarding LPG cylinders of other firms.

Such new rules will increase the quality of LPG cylinders and ensure safety of consumers.

To date, only 50 percent of the eight to 12 million LPG cylinders are in good condition, Pastraña said, with the rest being either dilapidated or have to be meticulously tested for defects.

Pastraña yesterday shared the following checklist for LPG users.

• Buy LPG tanks from legitimate dealers or authorized LPG dealers only; and always check that the security seal is firmly affixed on the valve.

• Place the LPG cylinder in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of ignition.

• Use the correct regulator and check its condition regularly.

• Attach the regulator and ensure that it is securely connected to the cylinder valve.

• Use the correct hose and check its condition regularly.

• Use metal clamps to attach the hose to the regulator and appliance.

• Ensure that the stove burner produces a blue flame.