The Department of Energy (DoE) in Visayas has vowed to intensify its campaign against the rampant use of butane in the region following a recent raid on an illegal refiller of LPG and butane canisters in Sitio Tugas, Barangay Casili, Mandaue City, Cebu.

Rey Maleza, chief of the Energy Industry Management Division of DoE Visayas, said the department and the Philippine National Police are out to apprehend and penalize those refillers who are in this illegal trade.

“We’re doing investigation to locate the suppliers of the LPG to these illegal refillers, so watch out,” Maleza said, adding they are currently monitoring five LPG refillers in Visayas.

The official said violators will be meted with a maximum penalty of P250,000 or imprisonment of five years or both.

Maleza said they are intensifying the campaign through the assistance of the government organizations and local government units.

“But the numbers may increase because of the demand that’s why we are intensifying our efforts,” Maleza said.

“We’re asking the public’s cooperation, not to patronize the unsafe products,” he added.

An order issued by the DoE in 2014 already prohibits the improper refilling of butane — a popular source of cheap cooking fuel — because it poses a serious fire hazard.

In the province of Cebu, at least 12 persons were recorded injured due to explosions caused by the use of butane for home cooking.