The Department of Energy (DOE) asked liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry players to comply with Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act (LIRA) to avoid administrative and criminal penalties, including business closure and permanent disqualification from engaging in any LPG activity.
The LIRA was enacted to protect the interests of end-consumers and establish standards of conduct for the LPG industry.
The law instituted reforms in the LPG industry to ensure compliance with the standards for health, safety, security, environment and quality.
These standards cover the importation, refining, storage, export, refilling, transportation, distribution and marketing of LPG, and the importation, manufacture, requalification, repair, exchange, improvement and scrapping of LPG pressure vessels, LPG seals and other ancillary equipment.
The DOE also directed all establishments engaged in LPG to comply with the LIRA and applicable rules and regulations of the DOE and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
It said that as a deterrent to unauthorized activities that may lead to adverse consequences to public health, public safety, security and environment, the LIRA provides substantial administrative and criminal penalties, including fines of up to P100,000 for every non-compliant item, material or equipment, such as LPG seal or pressure vessel, business closure and permanent disqualification, and imprisonment of up to 12 years.
The DOE said a number of LPG industry participants were administratively charged and imposed fines and penalties for violation of the LIRA.
“These penalties are designed to protect consumers, prevent hazardous incidents, and maintain the integrity of the LPG industry sector,” DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.
“By enforcing strict safety measures, we ensure that only legally sourced and properly handled LPG products reach the market, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to public safety and product quality,” he said.
