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| LPG cylinder |
The House Committees on Energy and Trade and Industry have reported out for floor deliberation a measure seeking to establish a regulatory framework for the safe operations of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.
House Bill 5617, which substituted House Bill 396 authored by Rep. Susan A. Yap (2nd District, Tarlac) and House Bill 756 filed by Rep. Arnel U. Ty (Party-list, LPGMA), also sets standards of conduct and codes of practice for the industry.
Hon. Susan A. YapYap said the measure, to be known as the "LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act," would address quality and safety concerns and uphold the rights of consumers to freely choose the LPG brand they want to purchase.
"The LPG industry has already marked a significant portion in the market due to its high demand. Operating under a regulated downstream oil industry structure, it allows its market participants to engage in unfair and unsafe trade practices, hurting consumers and to a large extent, causing negative externalities to society," Yap said.
The measure establishes a regulatory framework for the importation, refining, refilling, transportation, distribution and marketing of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and the manufacture, requalification, exchange and swapping or improvement of LPC cylinders.
It also creates the LPG Monitoring and Enforcement Task Force to assist the Department of Energy (DOE) in monitoring and compliance standards inspection, and in the exercise of other powers and functions necessary to give force and effect to the proposed Act.
The bill mandates the DOE to deputize the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the processing of the License to Operate for dealers and retailers, subject to the standards set in the proposed Act.
Under the bill, engaging in business without license to operate, engaging in business without accreditation, refusal or obstruction of inspection, failure to post license to operate, failure to submit reportorial requirements, illegal storage, failure to comply with product standards, adulteration, underfilling, illegal refilling, hoarding, unauthorized trading of LPG cylinders are prohibited and fined with a maximum of P500,000 for an individual and P1,000,000, for a corporation.
Upon prior consultation with the LPG industry participants and government agencies concerned, the DOE shall determine the mechanics, rules, and regulations needed for the implementation of a newly established Philippine LPG Cylinder Improvement Program with the objective of safeguarding and ensuring the safety of the consumers.
The measure also stipulates the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for the LPG industry, specifically the reports and disclosures required to be submitted by the LPG industry participants to DOE, and the central database of LPG Industry Participants to be created by the DOE.
To enhance awareness among LPG consumers and end-users, the measure requires DOE and the DTI to disseminate information about the proposed Act.
A Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall be created to monitor the implementation of the proposed Act.
The measure directs the effective coordination between the DOE and the DTI, and grants certain powers and functions to the DTI, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units (LGUs) for the effective implementation of the proposed Act.
Aside from Yap, Ty and Reps. Reynaldo Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) and Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), who chair the Committee on Energy and the Committee on Trade and Industry, respectively, other authors of the bill are Reps. Wilfredo Caminero (2nd District, Cebu), Walden Bello (Party List, AKBAYAN), Lawrence Lemuel Fortun (1st District, Agusan Del Norte), Felix William Fuentebella (4th District, Camarines Sur), Jesus Sacdalan (1st District, North Cotabato), Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila), Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District, Cebu), Ann Hofer (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay), Celso Lobregat (1st District, Zamboanga City), Ma. Valentina Plaza (1st District, Agusan Del Sur), Rosemarie Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan), Juliet Cortuna (Party List, A Teacher), Isagani Amatong (3rd District, Zamboanga Del Norte), Pryde Henry Teves (3rd District, Negros Oriental), Henedina Abad (Lone District, Batanes), Sherwin Tugna (Party List, Cibac), Silvestre Bello III (Party List, 1BAP), Michael Angelo Rivera (Party List, 1CARE), Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City), Dakila Carlo Cua (Lone District, Quirino), JC Rahman Nava (Lone District, Guimaras), Mariano Piamonte, Jr. (Party List, A TEACHER), Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Leah Paquiz (Party List, ANG NARS), Juliette Uy (2nd District, Misamis Oriental), Jose Atienza, Jr. (Party List, BUHAY), Arthur Defensor, Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo), Jesulito Manalo (Party List, ANGKLA), Ronald Cosalan (Lone District, Benguet), Sonny Collantes (3rd District, Batangas), Arthur Yap (3rd District, Bohol), Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. (2nd District, Davao Del Norte), Jorge Almonte (1st District, Misamis Occidental), Raul del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (2nd District, Zambales), Jonathan Dela Cruz (Party List, ABAKADA), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Samuel Pagdilao (Party List, ACT-CIS), Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party List, TUCP), Rogelio Espina (Lone District, Biliran), Jose Tejada (3rd District, North Cotabato), George Arnaiz (2nd District, Negros Oriental), Carlos Isagani Zarate (Party List, Bayan Muna), Neri Colmenares (Party List, Bayan Muna), and Fernando Hicap (Party List, ANAKPAWIS).
by: Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
