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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Bote-bote’ petroleum products illegal – DOE’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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KALIBO, Aklan – The Department of Energy (DOE) is prohibiting the sale of liquid petroleum products in soft drink bottles or any portable containers.
Liquid petroleum products may be sold in retail only through fixed and permanent dispensing pumps, not from aboveground tanks, tank vehicles, drums, barrels, or similar containers, a DOE official said, citing Department Circular No. 2003-11-010.
“The DOE strictly prohibits the bote-bote sale of petroleum products,” said Engr. Rey Maleza of the Visayas field office.
Atty. Russ Mark Gamallo of the same office warned bote-bote peddlers they may be penalized.
“The DOE does not issue any certificate to bote-bote retailers, so their [business] is illegal, and they may be fined with P10,000 per prohibited act and their products may be confiscated,” said Gamallo.
“Under Presidential Decree 1865, a criminal case may be filed against bote-bote retailers,” he added. “They may be fined between P20,000 and P50,000 and/or imprisoned for two to five years.”
Administrative and criminal charges may also be filed against illegal traders under DOE Department Circular No. 2003-11-010 and Presidential Decree 1865, respectively, Gamallo said.
Liquid fuels are “highly combustible and therefore requires proper handling, storage and display” — something that is missing in a bote-bote system and makes safety a concern, said Maleza.
Owners of businesses engaged in bote-bote do not have permits and licenses, especially the safety permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and thus “promote illegal trading,” the DOE official said.
“It is unfair to retailers who fall in line and pay fees for their gasoline stations,” he said.
The quality and quantity of petroleum products get compromised, too.
“In bote-bote, the source of the products is unknown,” he said. “And it’s unlike legitimate gasoline stations where dispensing pumps are regularly calibrated.” (PIA/PN)
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