Oil industry forum benefits local officials, BFP execs

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY -- Local chief executives, treasurers and personnel from the business and licensing office of the local government units in Camarines Sur expressed gratitude to the Department of Energy (DOE) for coming up with the Downstream Oil Industry Forum held here recently.

DOE Director Zenaida Monsada briefed the participants on the current condition of the oil industry in the country, emphasizing among others the conditions of the registered gasoline dispensing stations, refilling plants and depots in the country.

More talks took place on the second day of the briefing on Liquefied Petroleum Products (LPP) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) laws, rules and regulations.

Engr. Donnie V. Manduriao from the DOE-Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division (RMMSCD) gave some notes on the LPG Regulatory Framework. Manduriao emphasized that first and foremost that the regulatory system should promote safety in production, storage, handling, transportation and use.

Engr. Alex Rayos, also from the DOE-RMMSCD took the chance to discuss various rules on Auto LPG. Rayos discussed the recently issued guideline by the DOE governing the business of supplying, hauling, storage, handling, marketing and distribution of LPG for automotive use. This is to ensure that the consuming public is protected. Guidelines and standards to institute safety codes in the energy industry was also discussed.

LPP Retail rules were also discussed by Ms. Loralai Capistrano, also from the DOE-RMMSCD. Capistrano reiterated that the forum’s concern is to curtail the proliferation of unsafe practices concerning the LPP retailing business. She also put emphasis on being vigilant to aboveground tank, which is prohibited. Capistrano added that all the products should be perfectly calibrated.

Mr. Jose Marco Latosa of the Department of Science and Technology –Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST - ITDI) introduced the basic principles on metrology while Mr. Art Valerio from the CSI Global Services Corporation discussed the basic principles in calibration and sealing of mechanical / digital dispensing machine.

After the talk, the participants were also given a chance to witness an actual calibration of both the mechanical and digital dispensing machine in one of the gasoline stations in the city. Valerio conducted a hands-on demonstration in calibration and sealing of a dispensing pump.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat also lauded the DOE for coming up with the briefing, which he says would enhance the knowledge of the consumers and its stakeholders on the condition of the energy industry.

“Through this forum, our consumers can now discern why we are instituting measures and its impact on their safety. The same thing applies with our law enforcers who are now equipped with better tools to implement the law and understand these energy provisions in a much bigger perspective. This is very important for the local government units to effectively enforce what the law mandates,” Bongat said in an interview.

The briefing is also pursuant to Republic Act 8479 otherwise known as the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 which aims to ensure a truly competitive market.