DUMAGUETE CITY – An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) in Region 7 on Wednesday warned the public against butane gas refilling, saying it is not only dangerous to humans but is also illegal.
Evander Diola of the DOE-Visayas Field Office was speaking on LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Safety and Consumer Tips during a Kapihan sa PIA forum held at a local hotel in Dumaguete City.
According to Diola, canisters refilled with butane gas are dangerous because it can explode anytime and could start a fire.
Some people refill canisters originally bought with butane gas with LPG, which is was equally hazardous or even worse, he added.
Also, LPG cylinders were sometimes used for the refilling of butane gas, the DOE-VFO official said.
People tend to turn to butane gas for cooking as it was cheaper than LPG, Diola said.
LPG cylinders were safe because they passed through quality inspection as mandated by law, he added.
While the DOE-VFO has conducted raids on certain butane “refilling factories” in Cebu, there has been no report so far of similar operations in Negros Oriental, according to Diola.
He urged the public to report to authorities if they come across or receive information regarding butane refilling here.
Meanwhile, Diola also gave some tips to consumers regarding the purchase of LPG cylinders.
According to him, some people could be shortchanged in their purchase of LPG tank that was not filled to its capacity.
Diola recommended that prior to buying LPG, a customer must demand from the seller that it be weighed.
He said they would be conducting a massive information campaign during the first quarter of this year in Negros Oriental and Siquijor on LPG and other petroleum products. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
