Press Release
August 10, 2009

ROXAS: MILLIONS OF UNSAFE LPG TANKS IN MARKET
SENATE MULLS STRONGER PENALTIES, TIGHTER GOV'T WATCH

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said millions of unsafe liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders have flooded the local market as he called for tighter government watch on unscrupulous businessmen who dupe consumers into buying their unsafe tanks.

Roxas said the Senate trade and commerce committee which he chairs is now studying a bill from the House of Representatives that seeks a stronger campaign against sub-standard LPG cylinders that endanger households and businesses nationwide.

"Mahalaga ang buhay ng bawat isa, mayaman man o mahirap. Hindi puwedeng maging abo na lang ang pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino dahil sa peke o depektibong LPG tank (The lives of Filipinos are important, whether rich or poor. We cannot afford to have our dreams turn to ashes just because of these fake or defective LPG tanks)," said Roxas.

He said almost 1,700 fires have occurred since 2001 until last year because of these unsafe LPG tanks. According to the LPG Industry Association (LPGIA), there are 12 million LPG tanks in the Philippines, half of which or 6 million cylinders are not fit for public use.

Of these 6 million LPG tanks, 3 million are for scrapping because they could not be fixed anymore, while another 3 million are for re-qualification or for inspection and certification by concerned government agencies.

Roxas said millions of these cylinders are still being used by unscrupulous businessmen who need only business licenses from local government units to operate.

The unsafe LPG tanks, according to the LPGIA, are mostly imported cylinders that are dumped into the country as "junks" and re-used by illegal refilling stations.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said during a recent Senate hearing into the proposed LPG bill that 756 fires caused by LPG tank explosions occurred from 2004 to 2008 based on their records. Another 939 fires occurred from 2001 to 2004, according to the LPGIA.

"Gawain ng mga mapang-abusong negosyante ang pagbebenta ng mga depektibong LPG tank. Mahihirap ang karaniwang biktima ng mga sunog dahil sa peke o depektibong LPG tank," he added.

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