President Duterte has signed into law the regulatory framework for the safe operations of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry.

LPG cylinders (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Enacted was Republic Act (RA) No.11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act. It was approved by the President on Oct. 14, 2021.

LPG--which is sold in cylinders of varying weight--is usually used by Filipinos as a cooking fuel. Like pump prices of gasoline and diesel, LPG makes the news whenever there is a huge increase or decrease in price.

LPG is also used as a vehicle fuel.

The new law aims to institute reforms in the existing standards of conduct and codes of practice for the LPG industry.

Moreover, it seeks to uphold the right of end-consumers to freely choose the trademark or trade name of LPG-filled cylinders that they want to purchase and improve competition in the LPG industry for the benefit of end-consumers.

The new statute also encourages the industry to be at the forefront of technological innovation, in partnership with public and private stakeholders by keeping abreast of and developing homegrown advancements and breakthroughs.

The 24-page law, a copy of which was sent to Malacañang reporters Monday, Oct. 18, covers the importing, refining, storing, exporting, refilling, transportation, distribution, and marketing of LPG.

It also covers the importation, manufacture, requalification, repair, exchange, swapping, improvement, and scrappage of LPG pressure vessels, whichever is applicable; and the safe operations of the entire LPG industry including all LPG facilities and the residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive use of LPG.

Scrapper refers to the destruction of defective LPG cylinders declared by a requalifier or a repairer to be unfit for use.

"The DOE (Department of Energy) shall, together with the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), and in consultation with the concerned government agencies and stakeholders, including consumer groups, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within 60 days from its effectivity," read RA No.11592.

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Duterte approves law on LPG industry regulation