In photo: Unauthorizes refilling and selling of substandard LPG tanks have been the major cause of destructive fire resulting to damage to properties and lost lives. Solane being the country’s most trusted brand has been at the forefront in taking down malicious sources of dangerous and substandard LPGs. (File/THEPHILBIZNEWS)
By Alithea De Jesus
As authorities step up measures to thwart the proliferation of counterfeit LPG tanks in observance of Fire Prevention Month last March, ten LPG bust operations managed to confiscate 85 illegally refilled tanks amounting to close to Php 200,000 all over greater Metro Manila, Batangas, and Laguna.
Half of the operations were held in Metro Manila from March 11 to 27, resulting in a total of 46 illegally- marketed Solane cylinders and a marked 1,000-peso bill from each location.
Meanwhile, in Central Signal, Taguig, authorities captured six tanks and a transaction receipt of Php 650 from suspects Shanlord Aquino y Pablo and Rolly Domingo y Garcia. This was followed by two separate LPG raids in Brgy. San Jose in Antipolo, Rizal, which busted ten tanks – six of which were from suspect Justine Bucog y Bandoy and four from suspect Wilhan Barroga y Puno.
The last two legs of the Metro Manila buy-bust operations were done in Pasig, confiscating a total of 30 illegally refilled Solane LPG tanks. 24 tanks were seized from suspect Aileen Abacano y Malayo in Brgy. Pineda while six tanks were captured from suspect Junifer Laure y Caligang from Evangelista Street in Santolan. A delivery receipt was also found in each of the Pasig raids.
Regional authorities from Batangas and Laguna additionally busted 39 illegally-refilled Solane cylinders in five separate bust operations from March 25 to 26.
Fourteen cylinders were seized from Monte Claro Subdivision, Barangay Sabang, Lipa and Barangay Banjo East, Tanauan, Batangas – ten from suspect Lorena Barreda y Claro and six from Emmanuelita Garcia y Villanueva.
Twenty-five illegally-refilled Solane LPG tanks were confiscated in Laguna, 14 of which were busted from suspects Herminia Latay y Manaig and Warren Guevarra y Tipan in Barangay Perez, Calauan, Laguna along with two marked 1,000-peso bills and two receipts of sale with an estimated worth of Php 15,000. In Los Baños, four illegal Solane LPGs were seized from Ferdinand Pesayco y Bartolazo in Brgy. Mayondon while seven cylinders were captured from suspect Genna German y Maas in Barangay Anos.
Solane calls for safety in homes
Along with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP)’s fire prevention efforts, the government and other LPG players in the country, Solane being the country’s most trusted brand has been at the forefront in taking down malicious sources of dangerous and substandard LPGs. While at it, Solane is actively encouraging consumers to keep an eye out for their daily kitchen fuel. The company is reiterating for the public to verify their LPGs to protect their families and households.
Only LPGs sold in authorized retailers like #VerifiedSolane products are guaranteed genuine, safe, and top quality. #VerifiedSolane tanks carry the important markings that certify their registration, the specific standards used, the date the cylinder was tested, as well as the tare weight in kilograms which is around 13 to 15 kilos for AS or de salpak and 11.5-14 kilos for POL or de roskas.
Solane also takes extra precaution in ensuring safer homes for Filipinos through its Timbang Challenge and 7-point safety check that comes with every #VerifiedSolane purchase, delivered to consumers by their trusted riders, nationwide.
With the fear of the resurge in COVID cases keeping people in their homes, the safety of every household again falls heavy on being vigilant against potential risks indoors. Beyond bigger preventive steps at home, a simple act of verifying LPG tanks could go a long way in staying safe during an ongoing pandemic.