DAVAO CITY, Apr. 17 – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned consumers anew against possible hazards that may be caused by butane canisters filled with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Reports have reached DTI that there is a rampant unsafe practice of the use of butane canisters as containers for household LPG.
Based on the memorandum issued by DTI-Bureau of Product Standards director Lawyer Pedro Vicente C. Mendoza, butane canisters are made of tin and tin canisters are not refillable.
Furthermore, he said, canisters may be filled with products that should be properly identified to comply with Article 77 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394). Thus, if the canisters contain butane, they should be properly labeled as containing butane.
DTI’s basis of not allowing butane canisters to be refilled with LPG is that it violates the said provision of the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Mendoza said mini-LPG cylinders that are made of stainless steel plates are now available in the market. These containers are designed to be filled and refilled with the product stated on the labels.
DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said some consumers may have opted to have their butane canisters refilled rather than buying a new one because of price difference.
A new butane canister costs more or less P60 while refilling it would only mean P25 out of the consumer’s pocket.
“They go for the cheaper one without enough consideration that these LPG-refilled butane canisters may pose danger to their lives and properties,” she said.
Loreto said these LPG-filled butane canisters may explode and may result to losing lives and properties.
The official encouraged the public to report to the nearest DTI office if they have complaints against this particular hazardous practice. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)
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