Petron Corp. is optimistic the local liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry will further improve with the recent approval of the last batch of circulars governing the sector.
“With the remaining department circulars already signed, and now with the information campaign in full swing, we are confident that any and all gaps in the industry will finally be addressed,” said Ramon Ang, Petron president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual recently signed the three remaining implementing rules and regulations covering the application for a license to operate a LPG facility; rules on administrative cases including more stringent procedures on fines and penalties; and the cylinder exchange and swapping program which is an end-to-end process for eliminating substandard cylinders in the market.
The said rules empower the LPG law that was passed in 2021.
“For one, the mandatory cylinder swapping and improvement program will help ensure that unsafe and substandard cylinders that do not conform with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) benchmarks are gradually and effectively removed in the market. These types of cylinders can trigger explosions and fire incidents and we are proud to have played a part in putting in place these needed safety standards,” Ang said.
Amid the development, Petron continues to warn consumers of the risks involved in buying illegally refilled cylinders, noting that legitimate LPG products are those that use cylinder that passed through rigorous safety and quality testing and conformed with DTI standards on weight, wall thickness, weld integrity and valve fitting.
