Players in the liquefied gas sector expect significant reduction in violations and illegal trade activities given tighter sanctions against offenders under the newly enacted LPG Industry Regulation Act.

Leading LPG firm Petron Corporation stated that the passage of Republic Act 11592 “will significantly change and elevate the standards by which businesses operates in the LPG industry.”

The LPG law mandates tough sanctions and penalties against illegal refillers. The law also institutionalizes cylinder exchange and swapping program in the sector.

The oil firm qualified that “under this new law, illegal refilling will be imposed a fine of P25,000 to P100,000 per cylinder with imprisonment of 6-12 years.” Hence, the penalties are perceived as compelling deterrent to would-be offenders.

Additionally, a policy on gradual phaseout of generic and unmarked cylinders shall also be concretized, as set forth under the mandatory LPG cylinder improvement program.

Such reinforcement of industry rules, according to Petron, “will benefit both legitimate players and the consumers through addressing regulatory gaps, strengthening consumer protection and increasing public safety by making sure that all LPG cylinders have undergone the proper safety and quality checks.”

For Petron, the company said it has kept it promise to serve only quality LPG products -- primarily with Petron’s Gasul and Fiesta brands.

Within its business turf, Petron noted that the law “will strengthen the company’s resolve to stop the proliferation of illegal activities in the industry.”

Since June this year, the oil firm conveyed that the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) seized more than 1,000 illegally refilled Petron LPG tanks – and the estimated value of the items confiscated stood at P2.5 million.

The crackdown had been carried out in various retail outlets in Metro Manila, North Luzon and South Luzon. Culprits were apprehended via entrapment operations of the relevant law enforcement agencies.

“Petron, together with other members of the LPG Industry Association (LPGIA), supports these efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of the consuming public,” the oil firm stressed.

Petron narrated that its Gasul and Fiesta Gas LPG products “are often replicated or illegally refilled by unauthorized LPG refillers.” Because of that, Petron has been exerting maximum efforts to stop these illegal acts and unwarranted trade practices.

The company thus apprised the public that “buying from legitimate LPG traders and suppliers assures customers of high quality LPG products with the correct weight, as well as tank’s proper wall thickness, weld integrity and valve fitting” – which are all in keeping with the standards prescribed by the Department of Trade and Industry.