BAM TELLS DOE TO ACT URGENTLY ON ‘PALIT TANGKE’

SENATOR Bam Aquino has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately finalize the operational guidelines for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder swapping or “Palit Tangke” centers to allow consumers to find more affordable options and save money for other expenses.

In a letter to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin dated Sept. 9, 2026, Aquino sought an update on the proposed Joint Department Circular covering the operation of LPG cylinder swapping centers under Republic Act No. 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act.

Enacted in October 2021, RA 11592 institutionalized the LPG Cylinder Exchange and Swapping Program to promote safer LPG cylinders, protect consumers, and encourage greater competition in the LPG industry.

With an 11-kilogram LPG cylinder currently costing around P1,031 to P1,536, depending on the brand and location, Aquino said consumers should be able to choose more affordable LPG from authorized sellers, as long as the cylinder meets safety requirements.

“Malaking bagay sa isang pamilya o maliit na negosyo kung mapatutupad ang palit tangke at malaya silang makakapili kung saan mas mura ang LPG. Sa kasalukuyang presyo, umaabot sa mahigit P500 ang pagitan ng pinakamura at pinakamahal na presyo ng isang tangke,” said Aquino, chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.

“Mas madaling makakapili ang consumers ng mas murang LPG mula sa authorized sellers, basta pasok sa safety requirements ang cylinder. Mahalaga ito lalo pa’t nagtaas na naman ang presyo ng LPG,” he explained.

Aquino said the brand owner, and not the consumer, should shoulder the expense if the cylinder is old, damaged, or needs to be repaired.

Aside from protecting consumers, he said the completion of the guidelines is important to industry stakeholders as it will facilitate the removal and improvement of unsafe or substandddard cylinders in circulation.

He added that the guidelines will provide industry participants with clear and uniform rules for exchanging, handling, and improving LPG cylinders across different brands.

He also asked Garin to provide the agency’s target date for the finalization and implementation of the guidelines

“We hope that the Department can facilitate the prompt completion of these guidelines so that the consumer protection and safety objectives of RA No. 11592 can be fully realized,” he said.

Regasco, a liquefied petroleum gas company, thanked Aquino for his continuous support of the LPG industry and for advocating for the full implementation of RA 11592.

“Patuloy kaming magtutulungan para sa isang mas ligtas, maayos, at tapat na industriya para sa taong-bayan,” the company posted on Facebook.