DOE warns public against LPG-refilled butane canisters

The Department of Energy (DOE) is warning the public against butane canisters illegally refilled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that are being sold in provincial markets. The Department issued the warning following a buy-bust operation by the police in Cebu City at the Barangay T. Padilla public market where three suspects were apprehended for trading LPG-filled butane canisters. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked consumers to avoid the product. “LPG-refilled butane canisters are extremely dangerous, especially since butane canisters should only be used once. Refilling these tin canisters with LPG could cause fire and also greatly endangers the lives of consumers,” Cusi said in a statement on Saturday. Cusi said a number of fire incidents caused by leaking canisters refilled with LPG had been reported. The DOE-Visayas Field Office identified those arrested in Parian, Cebu, for trading LPG-refilled butane canisters as Ramir Amaca, Romeo Apparece, and Romeo Cuevas. The suspects were arrested for violating Batas Pambansa 33, as amended by Presidential Decree 1865 after being caught selling and possessing 638 illegally refilled and empty canisters. The DOE is also urging local government units and their officials to stop such illegal activities in their jurisdictions and to support the #ESafety campaign of the agency to protect the people.