LPG retailers worry over supply as deadline for securing license to operate expires

Some LPG retailers expressed worry as the Department of Energy (DOE) is set to begin penalizing businesses selling liquefied petroleum gas products sans license to operate.

The DOE set July 6, 2023 as the deadline for securing proper licenses under Republic Act No. 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act. 

The agency said it will begin penalizing resellers without licenses on Friday, July 7, according to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

“‘Di namin alam anong dapat na requirements…Parang ang nakakaalam lang ‘yung mataas, kaming mga mababa hindi namin alam,” Susan Andres, one of the resellers who secured a license, said.

(We’re not aware of the requirements. It seems like only big companies know about it.)

“Halimbawa kung nagsara ka, bawat tindahan dito nagsarado. Saan ngayon bibili ang mga tao?” she asked.

(What if stores around here close, where will the consumers get their supplies?)

LPG resellers group Federation of Affordable Independent Refillers and Resellers of Liquefied Petroleum Gases in the Philippines Incorporated (FAIRR-LPG Inc.)  said about 90% of local distributors have yet to get their licenses.

FAIRR-LPG Inc called for the extension of the deadline until the end of the year, streamlining of the requirements, and the establishment of a one-stop-shop for it.

The DOE rejected their plea, saying stakeholders were given six months to apply for the requirements stated in their circular and website.

“Wala pong extension [pero] hindi po ibig sabihin na bawal na po mag apply. Kaya lang of course paso ang lisensya mo ngayon,” said DOE Oil industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad.

(There’s no extension but that doesn’t mean they cannot apply. Of course, they have no license now.)

“Kung magbebenta sila at their own risk kung mapasyalan sila at ma-inspect. Kasi pag na-inspect yan, mape-penalize,” he said.

(They can sell at their own risk. If they’re inspected then they will be penalized.)

Abad also responded to fears of supply shortage, saying that big LPG companies have secured proper licenses and the public can still buy from them. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News