Ban on making,sale of butane refill cans pushed

CEBU, Philippines - A measure that seeks to totally ban the manufacturing and selling of butane refill canisters is being lobbied at the Mandaue City Council.

Councilor Jimmy Lumapas endorsed to the council a draft ordinance prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of butane refill canisters within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.

This is to ensure the safety of end-users and the buying public, Lumapas said.

In his explanatory note, Lumapas said butane and the tradition liquefied petroleum gas do not share the same characteristics.

He said the canister is not suited for gas pressures expected of the LPG. Butane canisters are made of tin and tin canisters are not refillable.

Using LPG-refilled canisters will reportedly jeopardize public safety, the legislator said, adding that forcing LPG on a butane canister may cause leakage that will lead to emission of hazardous gas, resulting to explosion and fire.

Lumapas cited that the Department of Energy has issued an advisory urging the general public to refrain from using refilled canisters of butane camping stoves because these might explode.

Pure butane fuel is designed for outdoor use and can only be used once. Refilling of butane canisters has not been advised.

The problem, however, arises when owners fill empty canisters with LPG and unsuspecting consumers also patronizing such practice.

Despite warnings, Lumapas said butane refill is popular due to convenience and because it only costs P25 compared to the regular price of pure butane which is P70.

If the ordinance is approved, haulers of butane canisters will be made to pay a fine of P3,000 to the City Treasurer’s Office 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 traffic agency of the city and the owner will be made to pay for towing fees.

If not paid after 24 hours, 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 based on the existing towing tariff rates.

An administrative fine of P5,000 will also be collected.

Owners of commercial and community stores shall also be fined of P3,000.

After the payment, the owner shall be ordered to refrain from selling of refilled butane canisters, otherwise his business permit will be revoked on subsequent apprehension.

If the commercial and/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/she shall be compelled, for a prescribed period, to secure a business permit and will no longer be allowed to sell butane refilled canisters.

If the owner of the commercial and/or community store does not secure the necessary business permit, after due notice, the establishment may be subject for permanent closure.

The police, barangay officials and watchmen in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry will be also tasked to monitor all commercial and community stores that sell butane canisters as they shall also be appropriately charged.

Butane refilling started in Mindanao but has now reached major cities around the country, including Cebu City.

According to reports, Liloan town and Danao City are some of the places in Cebu where some butane refilling backyards could be found. — Flor Z. Perolina (FREEMAN)