The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Mangaldan, Pangasinan has warned residents about the illegal sale of overpriced LPG regulators in several barangays.

Authorities said the sellers have no permits or legal documents and have claimed falsely that their products are endorsed by the BFP.

“Alam niyo naman kasi ‘ber’ months na. Pag dumating na ‘yung September, October, nagsisilabasan na sila, kasi alam niyo [na] may mga pera ang mga tao,” FSInsp. Jonathan de Vera, Mangaldan Fire Station Marshal, said.

According to reports, many victims are residents in remote areas who are less familiar with the correct price of regulators. The illegal products are being sold for P4,600 each, almost eight times higher than the cost of a standard regulator.

To stop the scheme, BFP personnel are monitoring the situation closely to track down the sellers.

Elizabeth Aquino, a cook at an eatery, welcomed the advisory.

“Yun po mahal ang benta nila. Kung tatangkilikín natin ‘yun hindi po maganda ‘yun kasi wala po silang permit, yun po para sa akin,” she said.

BFP also discovered that while some sellers hold certificates, these were issued in other areas such as Caloocan, not in Pangasinan.

“Meron silang certificate pero from NCR. Nakita ko actually, sa BFP-Caloocan meron silang permit doon… pero dito wala,” De Vera said.

The agency is urging the public to stay vigilant and immediately report anyone offering LPG regulators door-to-door in their communities.