Question & AnswerQ&A (DOE DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. DC 2007-02-0002)
The title is "The Rules and Regulations Governing the Business of Supplying, Hauling, Storage, Handling, Marketing and Distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for Automotive Use" or "Auto-LPG Rules."
It applies to any person engaged or intending to engage in the business of supplying, hauling, storage, handling, marketing, and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for automotive use.
An Auto-LPG Dispensing Station is an outlet, facility, or business establishment that retails LPG for automotive fuel directly to end users or the motoring public; it can be standalone or located within or operated with a Liquid Petroleum Products retail outlet.
They include Department of Trade and Industry or Securities and Exchange Commission registration, Environmental Compliance Certificate or applicable certificates from DENR-EMB or LLDA, Zoning/Locational Clearance, Building Permit, and Barangay Clearance for the proposed location.
They must file notice to DOE-OIMB at least five days before actual operations, have a current Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from BFP, PNS Compliance Statement for Facility Design and Operation, list of personnel with proof of training, list of dispensers/storage tanks with a Certificate of Approval, and engineering layout plan with latest photo of the station.
A fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) is imposed for the first offense, an additional P10,000 for the second offense, and cancellation or revocation of the SCC for the third offense. Operating without an SCC carries a fine of Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,000.00) and immediate suspension of operations.
Prohibited acts include illegal trading (such as operating without SCC or selling adulterated LPG), refusal to allow inspections, underdelivering LPG, hoarding LPG products, and adulteration of LPG for automotive use.
They must ensure emergency shut off valves are operational, personnel are trained by the Philippine LPG Association, only certified personnel dispense LPG, no refilling of household LPG cylinders, display of safety and informational signs, and maintain a dedicated fire extinguisher within the dispensing area.
A CNC is issued by DOE-OIMB for garage-based operations with at least 30 vehicle units and exempts them from this Auto-LPG Rules, provided they don't provide retailing services, and comply with specific conditions such as no money wheels on dispensers and controlled access to the premises.