DAVAO CITY – The Department of Energy (DoE) called on the public to stop using refillable butane canisters after learning that people, especially students living in boarding houses, are patronizing the flammable products.
Nilo Geroche, the Chief of the Energy Industry Management Division of the DoE XI, told the media during the Kapihan sa PIA on Friday, that students in Davao heavily use butane canisters for their cooking needs because of affordability.
However, Geroche raised concerns about the product’s hazardous effects and the danger to lives and properties, noting that there have been many fire incidents in the Davao region that were caused by refillable butane canisters.
Despite warnings, Geroche said the products are still being patronized and being sold in the markets.
During the months of March, April and May authorities have confiscated a total of 6,907 refillable butane canisters from Piapi, Bankerohan, Agdao, Panacan public markets and a residence in Upper Malagamot, this city.
On June 25 alone, Geroche said DoE, together with other partner agencies, confiscated 3,538 of butane canisters.
Theodoric Alingalan, senior science specialist of DoE, said butane canisters are for one-time use for portable stoves and outdoor use. The refillable butane canisters, however, are not designed for LPG and could explode because these are thin and do not pass DOE standards.
Geroche said DoE has been conducting information dissemination in schools because most users of refillable butane canisters are students.
On the other hand, Geroche reported that DoE still continues to monitor against the illegal sale of liquid fuels in “bote-bote” or liquid fuels in cola bottles, jugs, and other portable containers anywhere in Mindanao.
The campaign started after DoE received numerous complaints on the quality of fuels, which may have been sourced from illegal activities, such as smuggling, pilferage and theft. DOE has been reiterating its warning to the public about the dangers that “bote-bote” that may cause to lives and properties. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
