Leading industry player Petron Corporation had its market debut on small refillable liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in the juicy market of Cebu, so consumers can be spared from patronizing illegally-refilled butane canisters.

Via its “Fiesta Gas” brand, Petron launched its 170-gram refillable LPG cylinders, which is a viable alternative to consumers who are on tight budgets.

The packaging of the product, according to the oil firm, is of “seamless aluminum alloy, allowing it to withstand high pressure in line with Philippine National Standards (PNS),” with it emphasizing that “the Fiesta Gas 170-gram in refillable cylinders is safe, reliable, and easily compatible with portable stoves and grillers.”

Cebu, in particular, is known as a ‘hotspot’ for “alarming number of fire incidents resulting from the backyard or illegal refilling of butane canisters” – as reckoned on data gathered from the Department of Energy (DOE) and other relevant agencies, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Atty Rino Abad, director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), asserted that Petron’s entry into the small refillable LPG cylinders category “will result in more LPG users choosing the safer and government-compliant option.”

As noted by Virgilio Centeno, vice president for Industrial Sales of Petron, “our new Fiesta Gas 170-gram in refillable cylinders allows the vast majority of Filipino consumers to get their hands on a quality yet affordable LPG product from a brand they can trust.”

He emphasized that being the industry leader, “Petron is committed to helping the DOE address the proliferation of butane canisters that are illegally refilled with LPG by introducing a better and safer alternative in the market.”

The Petron executive conveyed that they are initially focusing on introducing the LPG-refillable cylinders in the Visayas; and targeted follow through to it will be in Mindanao because of the buildup of illegally refilled single-use butane canisters in the area.

Centeno similarly cited the importance of sourcing only from authorized dealers and retailers; stressing that “as with any LPG product, safety should always be the main consideration... small refillable LPG cylinders warrant stringent safety standards, and the only way this can be guaranteed is if a product is legally refilled and purchased from legitimate sellers.”

Petron echoed the energy department has been discouraging the use of butane canisters because these are “prone to leaks and can trigger accidental combustion, potentially harming users.”

Abad primarily sounded off that the department “continues to intensify its campaign against illegal refillers in the region to ensure the safety of consumers.”

Relative to that government-underpinned campaign, the DOE official put forth an appeal to the public “to stop using illegally refilled butane canisters;” and consumer-safety shall be upheld as a priority of all relevant stakeholders.

Abad reiterated that many butane canisters “do not comply with the DTI or BFP standards on safety and quality, making them extremely dangerous.”