Petron Corp. has secured accreditation from the Department of Energy as an official liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) training center, becoming the first oil company to earn this distinction.
The DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) awarded the certification last week to Petron through its vice president for industrial sales Virgilio Centeno.
‘We are honored to be recognized as a center of safety and excellence in the LPG sector, an industry we are proud to lead through our trusted flagship brands, Petron Gasul and Fiesta Gas,’ Centeno said.
The accreditation, he added, underscored the company’s commitment to championing the ‘highest standards of safety and quality in every aspect of our LPG business.’
According to Petron, the certification is expected to boost its ability to train and certify qualified service persons from its refinery, terminals, haulers, dealers and retail outlets.
The company currently operates the Bataan refinery, the country’s remaining oil refinery that is capable of producing around 180,000 barrels of oil per day.
‘As more LPG personnel undergo proper training from qualified institutions, consumers can be more confident in the quality and reliability of the LPG products they receive,’ DOE-OIMB director Rino Abad said.
Petron has started scheduling its training sessions, kicking off with dealers and retailers in Ormoc, Leyte. All LPG personnel trained by Petron will receive a DOE certificate, which is essential for meeting licensing requirements.
The LPG Industry Regulation Act, mandates businesses engaged in the production, distribution or sale of LPG to secure the necessary licenses, permits and certifications from the DOE and other relevant agencies.
The DOE has called on all LPG players to strictly follow regulations to ensure public safety, warning that failure to comply could result in business shutdowns, permanent disqualification and fines of up to P100,000 for each violation.
Violators may also face imprisonment for up to 12 years, the DOE said.