CEBU City Councilor Dave Tumulak yesterday said butane refilling stations that have not complied with the safety standards set by the Department of Energy (DOE) are considered illegal.
“We are assuming that all refilling stations have not complied with the requirements of the DOE,” he said. Tumulak heads the inter-agency task force formed to go after those who refill butane canisters with cooking gas.
The DOE has asked the Cebu City government to enact an ordinance mandating all butane refilling stations to comply with safety requirements.
Mark Russ Gamallo, DOE 7 legal officer, said the DOE circular issued in January 2014 prohibits the refilling of butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
He said the ordinance should require refilling stations to secure a Standard Compliance Certificate issued by the DOE, a business permit from the mayor, a certificate for the Bureau of Fire Protection and an Environment Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR.
Refilling stations that fail to comply with these will be shut down and the canisters confiscated.
Before a refilling station is issued a mayor’s permit, the Department of Trade and Industry will have to inspect the labels of the butane canisters.
Each canister must contain the registered name of the manufacturer, tracking number and net weight as well as safety tips and instructions on how to dispose properly.
The Association of Barangay Councils started on Monday a week-long information campaign on the risks of using refilled butane canisters.
The task force was created after an explosion last week injured eight persons in a backyard refilling station in Pardo.
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