(File photo)
MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to implement the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Regulation Act (LIRA).
Signed by DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla and PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., the MOA forged collaboration and consultation between the DOE and PNP to establish and enforce Oplan LIRA.
In a statement Monday, the DOE said through the MOA, the PNP will assist in conducting inspections of LPG facilities, including retailers, refillers, and motor vehicles transporting LPG in bulk to ensure that they are selling LPG that meets the highest quality and standards.
Under the LIRA, LPG refillers and distributors should be registered and have the required licenses and permits before they can operate. They should also secure another license to operate if engaging in new activity.
According to the DOE, it issued licenses to operate around 15,000 business establishments in the trade of LPG nationwide as of the end of 2023.
“The protection and safeguard of the consumers is our main priority. Together with the PNP, we will strictly enforce the LIRA with heightened monitoring and inspections of the industry,” Lotilla said.
Aside from business establishments, the LIRA also ordered households to replace their substandard LPG cylinders with new ones from authorized LPG distributors and refillers before Jan. 7, 2025.
Households in possession of substandard and dilapidated cylinders may face criminal charges.
Rusty tanks and unbranded LPG cylinders are considered substandard. (PNA)
