LPG cylinder swapping free, says law author
The swapping or exchange of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders is free, hence consumers are enjoined to report traders who impose fees.
The reminder came from Arnel Ty, former LPGMA Party-list representative and one of the authors of Republic Act 11592 or the “LPG Regulation Act.”
Speaking in a news briefing during the LPG dealers regional conference at the Hotel Andrea on March 13 here, Ty said the cylinder swapping helps ensure the compliance of the industry players with safe manufacturing, distribution, selling and buying of LPG tanks for the safety of the consumers.
“The program allows the LPG dealers and retailers to swap or exchange LPG cylinders into specific brands or trademarks from the marketers and owners. The standards of the containers are also thoroughly checked before they are refilled,” he added.
LPG industry players, including bulk suppliers and distributors, haulers, refilling owners, trademark owners or marketers, dealers, retailers and other participants, are now ordered to strictly comply with the new guidelines for safe practices of LPG refilling and distribution, he said.
Ty said they would try to eradicate the old and defective cylinders.
At least two million substandard LPG gas cylinders remain in circulation in the country out of the 40 million, so the government and private sectors have to work together to lessen the number, he said.
The circulation of old, rusty and defective LPG cylinders remains rampant in Luzon, he added.
“The series of conferences will remind us, the industry participants, to assist the government with the goal of removing from the market these substandard cylinders by introducing swapping or surrendering programs that are free of charge,” Ty said.
Robert Cardinales, Department of Energy LPG Section officer in charge, said the department has been authorized to initiate random inspection and monitoring, and if any player is found to have violated the law, the agency shall order the suspension of the operation or the closure of the facility if corrective measures are not complied under the law.
“Let us be patient with the full implementation of the law. It took 18 years before it became a law so let us wait,” he added.
He said the industry players must ensure that generic or uncertified cylinders are requalified, marked and certified before they can be refilled.
To ensure the safety of consumers, the DoE will monitor more closely all players in the LPG industry and run after operators without permits and those who engage in illegal and unsafe practices of refilling or underfilling tanks and canisters, and unscrupulous selling and distributing substandard cylinders and canisters.
Ron Allen Sante, DoE senior science research specialist, said the law mandates that all LPG industry players should secure a license to operate (LTO) from the DoE, a business permit from the local government, and necessary permits from other government agencies.