DOE flags 300 LPG retailers for violations

Over 300 retailers of fuel and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) inspected by the Department of Energy (DOE) in Batangas were found to have violated safety, quality and quantity standards.

The agency’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) – Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division conducted focused inspection (FI) on a total of 442 oil players across 30 towns in the province last week.

The FI is a mechanism for the DOE to guarantee that petroleum products, such as liquid fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) being sold in the market are in accordance with international and national standards on quality and quantity.

“The DOE stringently monitors businesses to ensure that our people are not shortchanged on the petroleum products they purchase. This is very important because people pay with their hard earned money,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Of the total inspected, 198 gas stations have violated the Revised Retail Rules while 156 LPG establishments have breached LPG Industry Rules, the DOE said.

The gas stations were operating without a certificate of compliance (COC), which is a common gas station violation.

A COC is a document given by the DOE to retailers after they have submitted all requirements such as business permits, compliance to standards such as fire standards and environment compliance certificate.

Meanwhile, the LPG retailers’ offenses include operating without a standards compliance certificate, selling cylinders that are non-compliant with Philippine National Standards, as well as a few cases of under filling.

“We empower consumers by upholding right quantity and quality petroleum products, while strengthening our collaboration with industry stakeholders for proper guidance on running an energy business,” Cusi said.