ROXAS BATS FOR IMMEDIATE OKAY OF LPG SAFETY ACT
SB 3418 CERTIFIED AS URGENT; MEANS SAFETY IS HIGH PRIORITY

Sen. Mar Roxas today urged his colleagues in the Senate to immediately approve the proposed LPG Safety Act as he stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of the millions of Filipinos using the cooking gas in their households.

Roxas, sponsor of the proposed LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act of 2009, noted that the President has certified the measure as urgent, which means that the safety of Filipinos against defective LPG tanks should be a priority.

"Mahalaga ang buhay ng bawat isa, lalo na ang sa mahihirap. Hindi puwedeng maging abo na lang ang pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino dahil sa peke o depektibong mga LPG tank (Each Filipino's life, especially the poor, is important. Their dreams should not just turn into ash because of fake or defective LPG tanks," he said.

Stressing that the safety of households is more important than financial losses industry players claim once the proposed law is in place, Roxas said that 3 million LPG tanks out in the market should have already been scrapped, while another 3 million are due for repairs.

Under the proposed bill, the importation of used or second hand LPG cylinders, especially those already considered junk by exporting countries, will be prohibited. Defective or fake tanks already in circulation in the local market, will be recalled, seized or impounded by the government.

"Gawain ng mga mapang-abusong mga negosyante ang pagbebenta ng mga depektibong tangke. Hindi natin ito maaaring pabayaang magpatuloy. Milyong-milyon sa ating mga kababayan ang nasa peligro dahil sa gawaing ito (We should not allow abusive businessmen to sell defective tanks. Millions of our countrymen are put in danger because of this)," Roxas said.

"Ipakita natin sa taumbayan na mahalaga ang kanilang kapakanan. Ipasa natin ang LPG Safety Act nang sa gayon ay mapalakas natin ang regulasyon laban sa mga peke at depektibong mga tangke at mga nagbebenta nito (We should show the people that their welfare is important. Let's pass the LPG Safety Act to strengthen regulation against fake and defective tanks, and against those who sell these)," he added.

President Arroyo has certified as urgent Senate Bill No. 3418, under Committee Report No. 567, which embodies the proposed measure last October 5. In her certification, she said "I hereby certify the necessity of the immediate enactment of Senate Bill No. 3418...to address the urgent need of strengthening the enforcement of safety standards in the LPG downstream industry in order to better protect consumers and to promote safe and fair trade practices in the business."