The City Council had sought the opinions of regional offices of national government agencies on the city’s plan to have an ordinance regulating the business of having liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for automotive use.
Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the council committee on laws that reviewed the proposed ordinance, said the matter of regulating the business of LPG is not only the concern of the local government units, but primarily by the national government.
Labella said it would be best if the council seeks first the opinion of the concerned national government agencies before deliberating on the details of the proposed ordinance, which would also regulate LPG dispensing stations in the city.
“This way also, the City Council will be guaranteed support by the national government agencies in this matter of regulating LPG business operation,” Labella added.
Regulation of LPG business is not under the corporate powers of a local government, but only in its power to enact ordinances for the welfare of its inhabitants under the General Welfare Clause as provided for under section 16 of the Local Government Code, said Labella.
He also observed that the proposed measure, sponsored by councilors Nestor Archival, Augustus Pe Jr. and Sylvan Jakosalem, would effectively require national government agencies to perform certain duties or functions.
Labella cited section 5 of the proposal that requires the Department of Energy – through the Oil Industry Management Bureau – to issue a standard compliance certificate to qualified business companies or individuals who wish to engage in LPG business.
The City Council has approved Labella’s committee report to submit copies of the proposed ordinance to all national government agencies involved in the regulation of LPG business so the concerned officials may submit their respective comments about the city’s intention.
Some vehicle owners in Cebu have already converted the fuel-feed engines to run with the use of LPG, which is described to be cheaper than other kinds of fuel. The rising cost of diesel and gasoline has prompted them to do so.
Having LPG as fuel does not affect a car’s performance, according to the vehicle inspectors of the Land Transportation Office.
Motor Vehicle Inspection System chief Joel Donato said that based on their experience and testing since 1995, LPG-fueled cars perform well as those gasoline- or diesel-fed motor vehicles.
LPG-fed cars also emit less smoke compared to vehicles using diesel and gasoline, he said. — Rene U. Borromeo/RAE