The Department of Energy (DOE) is urging all liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry players to fully comply with the LPG Industry Regulation Act (LIRA) to avoid substantial administrative and criminal penalties
The DOE said in a statement on Monday penalties include fines of up to P100,000 for every non-compliant item, material or equipment such as LPG seal or pressure vessel; business closure and permanent disqualification from engaging in any LPG activity; and imprisonment of up to 12 years.
“These penalties are designed to protect consumers, prevent hazardous incidents and maintain the integrity of the LPG industry sector… By enforcing strict safety measures, we ensure that only legally sourced and properly handled LPG products reach the market,” said DOE undersecretary Alessandro Sales.
There are 6,952 registered LPG players as of end-December 2024, the DOE said citing records from its Oil Industry Management Bureau.
LIRA was enacted to protect the interests of end-consumers and establish standards of conduct for the LPG industry, including the institutionalization of reforms and standards of practice for the industry to ensure compliance with the standards for health, safety, security, environment and quality, the DOE added.
These activities include the importation, refining, storage, export, refilling, transportation, distribution and marketing of LPG as well as the importation, manufacture, requalification, repair, exchange, improvement and scrapping of LPG pressure vessels, LPG seals and other ancillary equipment.
Data from the DOE as of end-June 2024 showed that Petron leads the country’s LPG market share at 25.5 percent, followed by Liquigaz with 17.9 percent and South Pacific Inc. with 14.6 percent market share.
