PETRON CORP. on Tuesday declared its support to a measure regulating the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector.
In a statement, the Philippines’ largest fuel company said it backs Senate Bill 1188, which will streamline existing regulations and policies governing the sector.
Petron agreed with the measure’s objective to suppress the illegal practices that undermine the lives and rights of consumers, specifically the illegal replication and refilling of gas cylinders.
“It’s about time that tighter regulations and stronger penalties are put in place against these unlawful and unsafe practices,” Petron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said.
The company said unauthorized refillers usually copy and illegally refill its Gasul cylinders. It cited a recent police raid of an unauthorized refilling plant in Imus, Cavite where an estimated P4.6 million worth of its branded cylinders were seized.
“Passing the bill will benefit both us players and the consumers for raising the standards on safety, security and quality in the LPG sector,” Mr. Ang said.
Petron encourages its customers to source LPG cylinders from permitted dealers to ensure product safety.
Since 2010, around 1,100 fire incidents caused by gas explosions from defective cylinders and leaks were recorded, according to Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, the sponsor of the LPG bill.
The proposed measure will fill regulatory gaps from importation to distribution of LPG products, as well as its manufacturing and exchange, the Senate Energy Committee head said. — Adam J. Ang
