MANILA - LPG manufacturers and the government reminded consumers to exchange dilapidated and substandard LPG with newer ones.

By the end of October, the government will already be authorized to confiscate substandard and generic LPG cylinders. These include rusting tanks, with no identifiable markings and safety features.

Industry players reminded consumers to check if the LPG brand name is visible, has embossed or permanent brand markings, the tare weight is present in the markings.

Regasco also clarified that there is no additional charge for consumers who find their LPG cylinders rusting or dirty and want to exchange them for cleaner ones. But this policy is only specific to Regasco.

DOE Director Rino Abad said dealers may actually impose a charge, a deposit for the cylinder, which can be refunded to the consumers anytime he/she wants to change brand.

Under the new law, the owner of the cylinder is the brand manufacturer and not the consumers who buy and use the tanks. Abad explains that what the consumer paid for is just a deposit, which can be returned anytime the consumers want to shift to other brands.

The DOE advises consumers to keep the original receipt to claim the whole deposit amount, otherwise, the dealer is only obliged to pay P700 for each cylinder surrendered to them.

LPG PRICE

It may just be the middle of the month but a major LPG player has sounded off a potential spike come October 1.

Regasco President Arnel Ty said he sees another possible spike in retail LPG prices for October, as the contract price of LPG is now higher by more than $30/metric ton as of Sept. 15.

Ty says the high demand for cooking gas is still due to the stockpiling activity of major Asian and European countries in preparation for winter.