Petron Corp., the country's biggest oil company, has welcomed the passage of the LPG Bill that is seen to elevate the standards of the liquefied petroleum gas industry and provide penalties to violators.
“The passage of the LPG bill will significantly change and elevate the standards by which businesses operate in the LPG industry. This will benefit both legitimate players and the consumers through addressing regulatory gaps, strengthening consumer protection, and increasing public safety by making sure that all LPG cylinders have undergone the proper safety and quality checks," the company said.
Petron said its customers can rest assured that its Petron Gasul and Fiesta Gas will continue to uphold the highest quality standards.
The LPG Bill was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte as Republic Act 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act last October 14. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The law will impose tighter sanctions on illegal refillers whileinstitutionalizing the Cylinder Exchange and Swapping Program. The LPG Industry Regulation Act will also gradually phase out generic and unmarked cylinders under the mandatory LPG Cylinder Improvement Program.
Petron said the passage of the LPG Industry Regulation Act will also strengthen the company’s resolve to stop the proliferation of illegal activities in the industry.
Under this new law, illegal refilling will be imposed a fine of
P25,000 to P100,000 per cylinder with imprisonment of 6 to 12 years.
Since June, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) has captured more than 1,000 illegally refilled Petron LPG tanks with an estimated equivalent amount of over P2.5 million in various locations in Metro Manila, North Luzon, and South Luzon.
The outlets’ owners and personnel were apprehended by the CIDG during entrapment operations and subsequent criminal cases were filed in court.
Petron, together with other members of the LPG Industry Association (LPGIA), supports these efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of the consuming public.
Petron Gasul and Fiesta Gas, Petron’s LPG brands, are often replicated or illegally refilled by unauthorized LPG refillers.
Petron said buying from legitimate LPG traders and suppliers assures customers of high-quality LPG products with the correct weight, as well as tank’s proper wall thickness, weld integrity, and valve fitting, following Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) standards.