Provincial Board to also ban refilled butane canisters

CITING recent accidents, the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) may yet pass an ordinance banning the refilling of butane canisters as well as its transport and sale all over the province.

The proposal by PB member Glenn Bercede, chair of the PB’s newly created committee on energy, was passed on first reading during the board’s regular session on Monday.

“The committee recognizes the need to enact an ordinance which will regulate or better yet prevent the proliferation of the illegally refilled butane canisters in the Province of Cebu. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)-refilled butane canisters are at high risk of exploding since butane canister is only made of tin,” Bercede said.

A similar measure was proposed by former PB member Arleigh Sitoy earlier this year, but the last PB failed to pass the ordinance before the May elections.

In reintroducing the ordinance, Bercede cited an incident last August 10 when a truck carrying 6,000 refilled butane canisters exploded at the South Coastal Road in Talisay City after colliding with another vehicle.

He also cited a report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) stating that 44 butane-related incidents were recorded from 2010–2015.

Under the proposal, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and traffic authorities across the province will be tasked to apprehend those found transporting refilled canisters.

The CPPO, together with barangay officials, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also monitor all commercial and community stores that sell refilled butane canisters and charge them.

Also, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office will direct all LGUs to stop issuing business permits to establishments or people engaged in refilling, distributing and retailing LPG in canisters.

If passed, violators will be fined P3,000 and the vehicles used in transporting will be impounded. Businesses found violating the ordinance will also pay the same amount and will have their business permit revoked on the second offense or meted a higher fine of P5,000 if there is no business permit to revoke.