THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DOE) XI urges locals to report establishments that practice illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling activities and vehicles that are not yet licensed to operate.
During Kapihan sa PIA on Aug. 17, Department of Energy Mindanao Field Office Director III Nilo Geroche said they are continuously focusing on processing the license as they are still experiencing an influx of submissions from registrants.
“Among our enforcement activities, giuna nalang usa namo kung adunay mga complains nga immediate, or request from the law enforcement agencies kay sige man sila og pang-raid gud labi na sa mga illegal refilling activities,” Geroche said.
Geroche said they have already announced an LTO registration cutoff last July 7 and had already released issuance of at least 500 for the whole Mindanao, a total of 205 in Davao Region: Davao City – 85, Davao de Oro – 16, Davao del Norte – 44, Davao del Sur – 41, Davao Occidental – 7, and Davao Oriental – 12.
“Kapag wala kang LTO (if you don’t have an LTO), that is illegal, and meron talagang malaking penalty sa DOE (you will expect a huge penalty from DOE), and pwede kang ma-raid, or madakpan sa ubang mga government agencies kung wala ka’y compliance (you will also be raid or caught by other government agencies if you will not comply with the requirements). Even with business permits, pwede namong ipasara (We could also force you to close businesses even if you have business permits),” Geroche added.
The LTO is applicable for retail dealers, refillers (LPG/canisters/cylinders), and sari-sari stores that sell LPG.
“If aduna kamo’y nakita mga ingana, you can report to us, and aksyonan namo ‘tung mga naa’y complains. Naa mo’y nakita nga unsafe activities, ilabi na kanang mga canisters na nanggungis na, we need your assistance to provide the details,” Geroche stressed.
Geroche mentioned some of the unsafe activities from reported establishments were pure butane canisters that were illegally refilled with LPG.
