Press Release
August 11, 2009

ROXAS TO PUBLIC: BEWARE OF DEFECTIVE, FAKE LPG TANKS
TIGHTER LAW SEEN TO DEAL WITH PROLIFERATION OF DEFECTIVE TANKS

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today cautioned the public against using defective or substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks as he vowed to pursue illegal refillers and manufacturers of faulty cylinders.

"Siguruhin nating tama at sapat ang LPG tank na binibili natin. Huwag tayong papaloko sa mga tusong negosyante. Kung mura nga pero delikado naman, huwag na lang (Make sure that you buy only genuine and safe LPG tanks. Do not be fooled by scheming businessmen. Do not buy tanks that are cheap but unsafe)," said the chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee.

He added: "Hahabulin natin ang mga nagbebenta ng mga peke at depektibong LPG tank. Hindi puwedeng maging abo na lang ang pangarap ng bawat pamilya. Mananagot ang dapat managot (I will run after those who sell fake and defective LPG tanks. I will not let our family's dreams to turn into ashes. The guilty should be punished)."

He vowed to fast-track committee discussions and approval of the proposed LPG bill, which the House of Representatives has approved and transmitted to the Senate. The measure seeks a stronger government campaign against defective or fake LPG tanks.

The Visayan senator urged the public to meticulously check cylinders they buy from refilling stations and listed tips on how to detect substandard tanks:

  • No embossed brand name in the tank's body;

  • Improper painting and is rusty;

  • Corroded foot ring and bottom cap;

  • Tampered serial number, date of manufacturing and has no "quality seal" from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry;

  • Leaking valve and dents;

  • No "ring" collar; and

  • Light in weight and bought from suspicious refilling station.

The Philippine Association of Cylinder Manufacturers has said 12 million LPG tanks are being sold in the local market, of which 3 million are for scrapping because they could not be fixed anymore, while another 3 million are for pre-qualification or for inspection and certification by the DTI.

LPGIA and Bureau of Fire Protection records show almost 1,700 fires due to defective or fake LPG tanks since 2001 until last year.

A fire victim, Abigail Eugenio has approached Roxas and sought medical assistance for minor burns she sustained when the LPG tank at a "lugawan" where she and her boyfriend were eating exploded last June 21. Because of the injuries she sustained, she lost the opportunity to work abroad after she missed a final interview for the job she was applying for.

The senator said the fire that gutted the "lugawan" (porridge stall) in Brgy. Santulan, Malabon is not an isolated case and could happen anywhere in the country.

"Ang mga nabibiktima ng mga tusong negosyante ay ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Sisiguruhin natin na maipapasa sa Senado ang LPG bill na magpapalakas sa regulasyon laban sa peke at depektibong LPG tank at sa mga nagbebenta nito (I will make sure that the new law passes to stop this practice of unscrupulous businessmen from victimize our hapless poor citizens with their defective LPG tanks)," he said.

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