Talisay amends ordinance on petroleum products

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council Committees on Natural Resources and on Good Government has recommended for the approval on the amendments to an ordinance that regulates the engagement in the business of retailing liquid petroleum products.

In a joint committee report, City Councilors Antonio Bacaltos and Socrates Fernandez, who chairs the committees on natural resources and good government, respectively, said there is a need to revisit Section 1 and Section 3 of Ordinance No. 2009-03 which required securing of Mayor's Permit and other requirements to stop the proliferation of selling illegal gasoline.

"This ordinance will curb the selling of gasoline through bote-bote system and the illegal refilling of butane cans," read the report, which will be tackled for second and final reading in next week's council session.

The scope of third SP Ordinance No. 2009-03 only includes the retailing of liquid petroleum products but not the liquefied petroleum gas which consists of commercial propane gas and/or commercial butane gas.

Bacaltos and Fernandez said in their report that there is a need to amend the ordinance specifically the title, so as to expand its scope to include the LPG and the prescription of rules and regulations.

The proposed ordinance also amends that "any person who is operating or intends to engage in the business of retailing liquid petroleum products and/or liquefied petroleum gas  shall first secure business permit, which shall only be granted upon submission of all pertinent requirements from other government authorities such as Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from BFP, ECC from DENR and Certificate of Compliance from the DOE. Operation by just a mere Special Permit is strictly prohibited."

Also, the following rules and regulations prescribed in connection with the granting of permits for the retailing of LPP and LPG in the city. It includes that all existing LPP and LPG retailing/refilling stations will be permitted to stay in their present locations, the city reserving the right to revoke any permit.

The city government will no longer allow LPP or LPG retailing/refilling station to be installed at the corner of busy intersections in the city to avoid congesting and disrupting the traffic.

No station will be permitted to be installed near a highly residential area for health and safety purposes including 30 meters from any existing church, hospitals, schools and markets.  (FREEMAN)