By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — Inspection teams of the Department of Energy (DOE) have initially found some retailers of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Ilocos Norte to have violated safety, quality and quantity standards set by the government.
Engr. Rumulo Callangan Jr., Chief of the DOE Luzon Field Office, bared this based on initial report by four teams dispatched Thursday to inspect the facilities of LPG retailers in clustered towns of Ilocos Norte.
Callangan Jr. did not specify nor identify the violators but noted, “For now, we have put on some ‘out of order’ and asked the local government units to validate them after inspection.”
He said petroleum industry deregulation law has allowed more market forces but there are still permits to be secured in accordance with international and national standards on quality and quantity.
The DOE teams were dispatched to monitor compliance of the oil business establishments on the prescribed rules and regulations of petroleum products.
Callangan said that to ensure consumers are not short-changed on the petroleum products they purchased, the DOE led an information drive held at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium on Thursday.
He reiterated to all industry players to strictly observe the LPG industry rules as stated under DOE Circular 2014-01-0001.
In cooperation with other government agencies, the DOE has also issued an administrative order directing all LPG industry players to observe the minimum safety standards in the transportation and distribution of the petroleum product in cylinders.
Owners of gas stations were also advised to ensure they have Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC).
The SCC is issued by the DOE to retailers after submission of all requirements such as business permits, compliance to standards such as fire standards and environment compliance certificates.
The DOE Luzon field office which covers Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region conducts monitoring of oil industry participants at least once a year.
Penalties in LPG trading rules and regulations range from PHP10,000 to PHP60,000.
