LPGMA warns public against China-made cooking gas tanks

MANILA, Philippines - A party-list congressman on Thursday warned the public against using a China-made cooking gas cylinder being peddled in the open market.

LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty issued the warning after 15 people, including two children, were hurt in an explosion of a 2.7-kilogram Shine Gas tank in Paco, Manila over the weekend.

"“These 2.7-kg LPG tanks from China, labelled Shine Gas, have never been tested here for their safety, and users risk being injured in an accidental blast or fire,” Ty said.

Ty said that Shina Gas tanks were brought into the country without complying with the Department of Trade and Industry's Import Commodity Clearance requirement.

“One of the defects found in Shine Gas cylinders is that their valves tend to get detached from the tank. But the bottom line is these drums never passed Philippine safety standards to begin with,” he said.

Ty said the Shina Gas tanks are cheaper than the usual LPG tanks in the market.

Meanwhile, Ty endorsed his long-pending bill titled LPG Regulation and Safety Act, which sets complete and rigorous standards to ensure the safe storage, refilling, distribution, transportation and consumption of cooking and auto gas.