DTI cites mayors for ordinances vs. dilapidated LPG tanks

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) cited over the weekend several local government units for coming up with ordinances penalizing substandard liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks. DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said these ordinances have helped tighten the screws on unscrupulous traders who refill dilapidated tanks. “Mabigat ngayon, even the mayors ay meron na silang ordinance pag kayo nahuling nagbebenta ng substandard product maaring kanselahin ang business permit (Even mayors have come up with ordinances to penalize those selling substandard products. Violators face the loss of their business permits)," Maglaya said in an interview on dzXL radio. She urged consumers to report such violations to her office at (02) 751-3330. Earlier, Maglaya said government teams have intensified their monitoring activities to look for substandard tanks to prevent fires from occurring due to substandard LPG tanks. Composite teams will also check firms that “re-qualify" LPG tanks to make sure they can be reused safely, she added. The DTI is part of a joint task force with the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Energy (DOE). Maglaya said the joint task force will “go around" LPG shops and stores of re-qualifiers. - GMANews.TV