Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11592)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11592 is the "LPG Industry Regulation Act."
The Act applies to importing, refining, storing, exporting, refilling, transportation, distribution, and marketing of LPG; importation, manufacture, requalification, repair, exchange, swapping, improvement, and scrappage of LPG pressure vessels; and safe operations of the entire LPG industry including facilities and residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive use of LPG.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Act.
The DOE is tasked with regulating, supervising, and monitoring the LPG industry to ensure compliance with health, safety, security, environmental, and quality standards; issuing licenses to operate; imposing penalties; confiscating substandard LPG products; creating a central database of LPG industry participants; and undertaking information, education, and communication activities, among others.
Adulterated LPG refers to the mixing of LPG with any finished or unfinished petroleum product or stock or with any non-petroleum substance or material that results in a change in product quality or failure of LPG to meet the required product specifications under the Philippine National Standard (PNS).
It is a system that allows end-consumers the freedom of choice in purchasing LPG-filled cylinders through exchange and swapping among industry players, governed by principles aligned with the LPG Cylinder Improvement Program and aiming to ensure safety and fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory terms among participants.
First offense: Administrative fine of at least P5,000 for each day of operation without the required license; Second offense: Fine of at least P10,000 per day; Third offense: Fine of at least P20,000 per day.
Illegal refilling carries administrative fines starting at P25,000 for every LPG pressure vessel or seal plus confiscation; upon conviction, imprisonment ranges from six (6) to twelve (12) years, with higher fines and penalties imposed for repeat offenses including suspension and permanent disqualification from LPG industry participation.
Refillers must fill LPG cylinders under their own or authorized trademarks accurately; test for weight and leaks; refill only cylinders compliant with PNS and bearing safety marks; refuse to refill LPG cartridges or noncompliant cylinders; and check dealers’ and retail outlets’ compliance with content and measuring device requirements.
Underfilling occurs when the net quantity of LPG in a cylinder is less than the required content. The refiller is liable if the underfilling occurs at the refilling plant, and the dealer or retail outlet is liable when the LPG sold has less content than required. Broken or tampered seals are prima facie evidence of underfilling.