TARLAC TO STOP PETROLEUM PRODUCTS’ RETAIL ON BOTTLES

TARLAC CITY: The retail sale of petroleum products in bottles here will soon become a thing of the past once a local law is enacted. Chief Insp. Ivy Trono, city fire marshal, sought for the passage of ordinance that would stop the sale of the said products that is currently rampant and displayed in almost every street corner. In her letter to Mayor Cristy Angeles and Vice Mayor Genaro Mendoza, Trono noted the dangers posed by the trade which is considered illegal and prohibited, citing decrees and laws by the Department of Energy the Fire Code of the Philippines, Consumer Act of the Philippines and Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She said its improper retail is prohibited considering the threat against properties and human lives. The petroleum products are usually contained in soda bottles, plastic containers, jugs and other similar portable basins not intended and suited for storing, handling and dispensing the liquid products. Worse, most, if not all, retailers are operating without license or business permits and insurance. Trono cited the fire that razed a computer shop in Barangay Matatalaib in Tarlac City in 2011 caused by an explosion of fuels from a retailer’s stand. Meanwhile, Mendoza, Council presiding officer, said he sounded the call on the members of the committees on trade and industry and peace and order in the city council for the immediate passage of an ordinance on the issue.