Cooking gas firms boost safety training

Private sector players in the cooking gas industry are set to conduct various training sessions for their employees in a bid to raise awareness on safety standards.Arnel Ty, chair of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retailer Republic Gas Corp. (Regasco) and former president of the LPG Marketers’ Association, told reporters last week that the training program was among the requirements of an upcoming administrative order of the Department of Energy (DOE).“We will implement the proper training programs next year for all LPG [industry] participants, including employees. The DOE will issue the certification,” he said.

Inform consumers

According to Ty, the training courses will include lectures on how to properly install LPG cylinders and other services to properly inform consumers.

Earlier this year, Regasco and several other industry players conducted nationwide information campaigns with the DOE and the Department of Trade and Industry on Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act.

The law, which was signed in 2021, imposes heavier penalties on dealers found selling substandard tanks.

These include old and dilapidated cylinders that do not conform with Philippine safety standards.

Ty said 6 million cylinders of the 40 million in the local market needed replacement, adding that the private sector had invested P20 billion to replace the substandard tanks. INQ