(Taguig City). Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi vowed today to get to the bottom of the explosion in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling plant in Pasig City as he ordered close coordination by his staff with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) unit now investigating the incident.

“Public safety is always our priority and the DOE (Department of Energy) is looking closely   at this unfortunate incident which injured at least 20 people. Our common objective with the BFP is to ensure that this does not happen again,” said Secretary Cusi.

To ensure their safe operation, LPG refilling plants are tasked to comply with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Refilling Plants and the DOE Circular on LPG Industry Rules.

A Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC) is issued once an LPG refilling plant complies with the minimum requirements of the PNS and the DOE circular. Other government agencies like the BFP, as well as local government units (LGUs) have their own requirements for compliance by LPG refilling companies.

Initial reports have said that the company involved in the incident have secured an SCC and all other prerequisite requirements from the BFP and the Pasig government.

Cusi said the DOE will revoke the company’s SCC because of the incident and that it cannot operate until it is able to secure a new SCC after all pertinent investigations have been concluded to the DOE’s satisfaction.

“Violations of the DOE Circular on LPG Rules merit administrative sanctions on those responsible,” Cusi stressed.

LPG refilling firms are also required to comply with provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines and local government ordinances, if any, with regards to operational safety. Overall, the BFP is mandated to ensure against fire hazards in all businesses in the Philippines.

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