DOE Visayas promotes use of small LPG cylinders instead of butane canisters

Dealers undergo DOE orientation last week so they could sell the LPG cylinders offered by the Philippine Eco-gas Producers Cooperative (PEPC). /Irene R. Sino Cruz

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Department of Energy Visayas Field Office calls for a more aggressive campaign on the use of certified LPG cylinders instead of the butane canisters.

Jose Rey Maleza, DOE Visayas field office officer-in-charge, told dealers during a recent orientation-briefing about the need to conduct an aggressive marketing strategy to convince the public to use the LPG cylinders instead of LPG-refilled butane canisters.

The dealers who participated in the DOE orientation held last week have applied for standards compliance certification (SCC) so they could sell the LPG cylinders offered by the Philippine Eco-gas Producers Cooperative (PEPC).

Maleza reiterated that butane canisters could not be used as a container for LPG because it could result in combustion and have been identified as the cause of fire.

He cautioned the dealers who have been selling LPG-refilled butane canister from continuing to sell these products since it could mean a fine of at least P20,000 or an imprisonment of up to five years.

According to Maleza, their aggressive campaign against the dealers and LPG refilling stations have resulted in lower supply, driving up the price for an LPG-filled butane canister now sold at more than P20 pesos.

The PEPC LPG cylinders, which are refillable welded stainless steel canisters that could withstand the pressure of LPG, have been certified for sales in the Philippines by the DOE and the Department of Trade and Industry, said PEPC board member Fe Potestas.

Potestas disclosed that the demand for LPG cylinders, that are manufactured in Vietnam, have been growing fast. The customers have to buy the LPG cylinders first just like what they do on their first purchase of the 11-kg LPG containers.

However, the cost of a fully-filled LPG cylinder only cost a few pesos higher than that of the butane canister with the increase in the price due to shortage of supply.

Meanwhile, PEPC chairman Francisco Reyes Jr. said there were around 19 dealers that have acquired SSC to sell the LPG cylinders.

Reyes said around 80 dealers have applied for an SSC so they could be allowed to sell these LPG refilled cylinders.

PEPC has plans to expand this project, which is piloted in Cebu province, other provinces in the Visayas, he added./dcb