LPG BARAKO: Inspectors from the Department of Energy and its partner agencies sweep through liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) establishments in Batangas this week to ensure that the products being sold are of the best quality, just like the province’s renowned coffee. 

BATANGAS – To ensure that local petroleum products adhere to the safety, quality and quantity standards, the Department of Energy (DOE) has inspected a total of 442 oil players across 30 towns in the province.

Spearheaded by the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) – Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division in cooperation with partner offices and national agencies, the “Focused Inspection” (FI) ran from 9 to 13 July.

The FI is a mechanism for the DOE to guarantee that petroleum products, such as liquid fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) being sold in the market are in accordance with international and national standards on quality and quantity. 

It takes an integrated approach to monitor Liquid Fuel Retail Outlets /Gasoline Stations and LPG establishments, with an intensive information dissemination component. 

Inspection findings showed that 198 gas stations have violated the “Revised Retail Rules,” while 156 LPG establishments have breached “LPG Industry Rules.”

Operating without a Certificate of Compliance is a common gas station violation. 

For LPG retailers on the other hand, offenses include operating without a Standards Compliance Certificate, selling cylinders that are non-compliant with Philippine National Standards, as well as a few cases of under filling. 

“The DOE stringently monitors businesses to ensure that our people are not short-changed on the petroleum products they purchase. This is very important because people pay with their hard earned money,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi emphasized.

Secretary Cusi also pointed out, “We empower consumers by upholding right quantity and quality petroleum products, while strengthening our collaboration with industry stakeholders for proper guidance on running an energy business.” 

Under the E-Power Mo Movement, the DOE-OIMB also conducted an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on Thursday (12 July) with 150 stakeholders and consumers.

Discussions focused on the results of the monitoring/inspection activities, the overview of the Downstream Oil Industry and the regulatory frameworks of its sub-sectors, the Fire Code of the Philippines, and other related local government units’ (LGU) ordinances pertinent to the oil industry business.

The back-to-back FI and IEC is a joint initiative with the DOE’s Legal Services – Hearing Division; Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services – Geo-scientific Research and Testing Laboratory; DOE Field Offices. Other partner offices include the City/Municipality’s Business Permits and Licensing Office and Treasurer’s Office; the Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards; the Department of Interior and Local Government - Bureau of Fire Protection; and the Philippine National Police.

Six teams were organized, with each unit executing its mandate relative to the operations of oil industry players on liquid fuels and LPG sub-sectors.

The DOE assures the public that it closely monitors the quality and quantity of petroleum products nationwide. 

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