=== dc2007-02-0002-pages-01.ppm === | ‘Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 2£2007-0 =09%% “Providing for the Rules and Regulations Governing the Business of Supplying, Hauling, Storage, Handling, Marketing and Distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for Automotive Use” WHEREAS, the Department of Energy (DOE) in pursuance of its powers and functions under Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7638 otherwise known as the “Department of Energy Act of 1992", establishes and administers programs for the exploration, transportation, marketing, distribution, utilization, conservation, stockpiling, and storage of energy resources of all forms, whether conventiona! or non-conventional; WHEREAS, the DOE shall regulate private sector activities relative to energy projects in order to attain the goals embodied in Section 2 of RA 7638: Provided, that the Department shall endeavor to provide for an environment conducive to free and active private sector participation and investment in all energy activities; WHEREAS, RA 8479, otherwise known as the “Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998”, shall apply to all persons or entities engaged in any and all activities of the domestic downstream oil industry including the LPG business for automotive use, and mandates the DOE to promote the entry of new industry participants; WHEREAS, Section 14(b) of RA 8479 empowers the DOE to monitor the refining and manufacturing of local petroleum products to ensure that clean and safe (environment and worker-benign) technologies are applied. The same shalt also apply to the pracess of marketing local and imported petroleum products; WHEREAS, Batas Pambansa Big. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, and the Implementing Rules and Regulations therefor, define and penalize certain prohibited acts that are considered inimical to the public interest and national security, including illegai trading in petroleum and/or petroleum products, hoarding of petroleum products, adulteration and underdelivery, among others; WHEREAS, the LPG Business for Automotive Use is subject to pertinent certifications, permits and licenses issued by government authorities such as, but not timited to, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Local Government Units: WHEREAS, the downstream oil industry has adopted pertinent provisions of different natianal and international safety codes that cover the safe and proper handling, transport, storage, installation and use of equipment and facilities that are used in the industry; WHEREAS, these pertinent provisions in the different national and international safety codes have been integrated and inciuded in a National Standards on Health, Safety, and Quality for the petroleum products business; Energy Center, Merritt Rd., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila 1201 Philippines Tel. Nos.: Trunkline (632}840-1401; Telefax (632} 840- 2067; (632) 840-2138; (632) 840-4244; Fax (632) 840-1731; Hotline (632) 840-2130. Website: www.doe.gov.ph E-mail: info@doe.gav.ph === dc2007-02-0002-pages-02.ppm === WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to eliminate, illegal and unsafe operation of such business and to impose penalties on violations to health, safety and product quantity/quality standards in the industry in order to better protect the consuming public; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the following rules are hereby promulgated to govern the Business of LPG for Automotive Use. Rufe { GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1. TITLE This Department Circular shall be known and cited as “The Rules and Regulations Governing the Business of Supplying, Hauling, Storage, Handling, Marketing and Distribution of LPG for Automotive Use” or “Auto-LPG Rules”. SECTION 2. COVERAGE This Auto-LPG Rules shall apply to any Person engaged or intending. to engage in the business of supplying, hauling, storage, handling, marketing and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas {LPG} for automotive use. SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS For the purpose of this Auto-LPG Rules, the following definitions shall apply: a, “Auto-LPG Dispensing Station” shall refer to an outlet, facility, or business establishment which retails Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for automotive fuel directly to individual end users or to the motoring public; The same may be stand alone or located within or operated with a LPPs Retail Outlet; b. “Auto LPG Industry Participants’ shall refer to persons or entities engaged in the business of supplying, hauling, storage, handling, marketing and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for automotive use. c. “BFP” shall refer to the Bureau of Fire Protection created under Republic Act No, 6975 as amended; d. “Bulk Supplier” shall refer to any person or entity who engages in the sale of LPG thru tankers, barges, tank trucks, trailers and lorries; e. “Container” or “Auto-LPG Container” shall refer to any portable pressure vessel with all its permanent support(s) and attachment(s) installed, used for the storage of LPG for automotive use; , - f. “DENR” shall refer to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, . - created under Executive Order No. 192: - g. “DILG” shall refer to the Department of Interior and Local Government, created _. under Republic Act No. 6975; h. “DOE” shall refer to the Department.of Energy, created under Republic Act.No. ; - 7638, as amended; , i. “DOST” shall refer to the Department of Science and Technology, created ._ under Executive Order No. 128; : i. “DTi” shalt refer to the Department of Trade and Industry, created under Executive Order No. 292; k. “Hauler” shall refer to persons or entities engaged in the transport, distribution. and carriage of LPG in bulk from the bulk supplier to the Auto-LPG Dispensing. Station; I. “LPP” shall refer to Liquid Petroleum Products such as gasoline, diesel? and © kerosene. === dc2007-02-0002-pages-03.ppm === m. “LGU shall refer to the local government unit; “OIMB” shall refer to.the Oij Industry Management Bureau of the Department n. of Energy; 0. “PNP” shall refer to the Philippine National Police, created under Republic Act No. 6975; p. “PNS” or Philippine National Standards” shall refer to the standards promulgated by the DTl-Bureau of Product Standards relating to product specifications, test methods, terminologies, and standardization procedures, guidelines or practices; q. “Retailing” shall refer to the act of selling, distributing, dispensing, storing, handling, transferring or dispensing LPG for automotive use directly to the individual end users or to the motoring public; Rute Ik MINIMUM STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS Section 4. SUPPLYING/HAULING IN BULK Any person who is operating or intending to operate a LPG bulk supply and/or hauling business for automotive use shall comply with the latest edition of the following: a. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Pamphlet 58 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code; and b. Philippine LPG Association (PLPGA) Safety Code Section 5. RETAILING Any person who is operating or intending to operate an Auto-LPG Dispensing Station shall comply with the following requirements of this Auto-LPG Rules: a. Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shall conform to PNS/DOE FS 3:2006 and any amendments thereto. Pursuant to PNS/DOE FS 3:2006, the retailing of LPG for automotive use shall be conducted in a dedicated Auto-LPG business premises with an. initial. minimum lot area of 250 square meters for stand-alone stations with single Auto- LPG Dispenser and above ground storage or 150 square meters for stand-alone stations with single Auto-LPG Dispenser and underground storage. such that: ~~ vehicles being serviced shall at all times be inside the said business premises. b. Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shalt only refill LPG containers for automotive use . . which conform to the specifications of PNS 04:2006 “Road Vehicles —. Automotive LPG Components — Containers” and installed in the vehicle . complying with PNS 05:1983 “Code of Practice for the use of Liquefied : Petroleum Gas (LPG) System in Internal Combustion Engines’, c. Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shall not be allowed to refill cylinders for : household use. ; d. Operation of “self-serve” Auto-LPG Dispensing Station shail not be allowed. e. Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shall conform to the minimum standards and - requirements prescribed hereunder, and such other pertinent rules and regulatians, and shall operate only with a valid SCC as described in Section 6 hereof. === dc2007-02-0002-pages-04.ppm === Section 6. STANDARDS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE The DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OiMB), shail issue a Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC) upon the complete submission of and full compliance by the Auto-LPG Industry Participant with the requirements provided in Section 9 hereof: Provided, that the issuance of the said SCC does not exempt such person or entity from securing DOE’s Certificate of Compliance (COC) for liquid fuels and any other permit or certificate of quality, health, safety, security, or environmental clearance from the concerned governmental agencies or instrumentalities: Provided further, that the Auto-LPG: Industry Participant shall submit to the DOE-OIMB an authenticated copy of the business/mayor’s permit within thirty (30) days from the issuance of the SCC, otherwise the latter shall be deemed revoked. No Auto-LPG Industry Participant shall operate until a SCC is secured from the DOE-OIMB. The Auto-LPG Industry Participant shall be deemed engaged in the ILLEGAL TRADING of LPG for automotive use if he/she operates without the SCC. Section 7. CERTIFICATE OF NON-COVERAGE Auto-LPG garage-based operation shall not be covered by this Auto-LPG Rules enly upon issuance of a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) by the DOE-OIMB. For purposes of this Auto-LPG Rules, a garage-based operation shall refer to the operation of a- motor vehicle fleet with at least thirty (30) vehicle units; parked and serviced in a confined area or garage. A Certificate of Non-Coverage shall be issued provided that the owner / operator shall ensure that: a. They file with the DOE-OIMB a duly acknowledged formal letter of request for a certificate of non-coverage under these Rules, b. They present pertinent LTO/LTFRB documents confirming their fleet with at least thirty (30) taxi units in operation. c. They do not render retailing services as defined and as provided for in Section 5 hereof. d. Their dispenser/s does not have “money wheels” or “price indicators”. For purposes of this Auto-LPG Rules, a “money wheel” is the price-indicating device of the LPG dispenser that indicates the amount corresponding to the volume of - product dispensed from the nozzle. i: e. Their facility shall not be open for retail to the motoring public, hence, shall only _- be accessible to its own fleet vehicles through a controlled entry point. Bulk suppliers shail ensure that their garage-based Auto-LPG clients / buyers have _ secured the necessary Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) from the DOE prior to engaging -- into contractual obligations, such as but not limited to supply agreements, with their clients or buyers. The CNC does not preclude compliance with PNS/DOE FS 3:2006 “Auto-LPG | Dispensing Stations” and with the requirements of other government agencies. SECTION 8. NON-ISSUANCE, NON-RENEWAL OR REVOCATION OF STANDARDS | COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE The following shall constitute grounds for non-issuance, non—renewal or revocation of SCC: bend a. Failure to comply with Sections 9, 10, and 11 hereof; === dc2007-02-0002-pages-05.ppm === b. Failure to present an authenticated Business/Mayor’s permit as prescribed in Section 6 hereof; c. Unjustified refusal to allow entry of authorized DOE-OIMB inspectors during inspections; d. Failure to pay fines imposed by the DOE-OIMB; e. Violation of these rules; and Failure to submit, show or present proof, papers or documents evidencing compliance with any requirement, existing laws, rules and regulations governing the Auto LPG Industry or any other related law. Th Section 9. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS No person or entity shall engage in the business of LPG for Automotive Use without first notifying the DOE-OIMB in writing his/her intention to engage in such activity and without first complying with the DOE requirements, including submission of documentary requirements. Such notification and documentary requirements shall be distinct and separate from the submissions relating to the other LPG and/or Liquid Petroleum Products activity and shall contain the following, as applicable: a. Prior to Engagement in Auto-LPG Business: i.) Business name, address, telephone/fax number of the business | office: ii.) Proposed location and complete address of Auto-LPG Dispensing Station; ii.} . Project or business ptan indicating the scope of operation/activity; and iv.) List of facilities and proof of availability of such facilities to support the proposed business. b. Prior to Commencement.of Construction: i.) Department of Trade and industry / Securities and Exchange Commission registration; it.} Environmental Compliance Certificate or applicable certificate/permits/licenses issued by the DENR-EMB or LLDA; iit.) Zoning/Locational Clearance; iv.) Building Permit; and Vv.) Barangay Clearance for the proposed Jocation. c. Prior to Operation: i.) File a notice to the OIMB of their official start of business at least five (5) days prior to the start of actual operations; fi.) Current Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (BFP); iti.) PNS Compliance Statement for Facility Design.and Operation: iv.) List of Auto-LPG station. personnel and proof of training and .. qualification; v.) List of dispensers, storage tanks, and bullet trucks/lorries with its corresponding Certificate of Approval or any other similar documents .- as provided by the equipment supplier/ manufacturer; and a vi.) Engineering layout plan and latest photograph of the. Auto-LPG | Dispensing Station. Such lay-out plan duly signed by a company designated project engineer shall indicate the following information, among others: a. Number of tanks and type of installation; b. Location and distances between building structures and facilities and equipment; Cc. Ingress and Egress; d. ‘Perimeter wail / property boundaries: and ~ === dc2007-02-0002-pages-06.ppm === e. Location and identification of dispensing unit/s including hose reach zone. d. Other requirements or information as may be required by the DOE-OIMB, such as, but not limited to, change of dealership or business name, expansion of LPG activity and temporary or permanent closure. Unless explicitly specified, certifications, permits and licenses for LPPs cannot be considered in compliance to the above requirements for Auto LPG Dispensing Stations. The documents enumerated in this Section must be accompanied by original documents for authentication purposes. Section 10. REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENTS All businesses engaged in the trade of LPG, such as but not limited to, Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shall be required to submit the following reports: a. For Bulk Suppliers and/or Haulers i. List of Auto-LPG buyers/clients such as, but not limited to, taxi companies, garage-hased, fleet operators by company/entity and location, ii. Quarterly report of sales to buyers/clients as specified in Item (a.i) above; iii. Listnumber of LPG tankers, barges, tank trucks, trailers and lorries including its load capacities; and iv. List of certified personnel. b. For Auto-LPG Dispensing Station: i. Quarterly Sales and Purchase Volume; i. | Applicable permits for any new, additional, renovated or refurbished facilities and / or changes in their respective operation within five (5) days prior to commissioning or decommissioning, as the case may be; and ii. | List of qualified station personnel / attendant as provided for in Section 9(c) of this Rules. Section 11. CODE OF PRACTICE in order to ensure the safe operation in the auto LPG business, the following operational guidelines and procedures shall be strictly observed at all times: a. For Bulk Suppliers and/or Haulers: Compliance to pertinent provisions of Section 3 (LPG Bulk Storage Facilities) and Section 4 (Vehicular Transport of LPG) of the PLPGA Safety Code of 2000, | b. For Auto-LPG Dispensing Station Owner/Operator. i. Ensure that the emergency shut off valves for the dispensing unit and for — the LPG storage tanks as provided under PNS/DOE FS 3:2006 are complied with and are fully operational. ii. Ensure that its personnel shall have undergone, as a minimum =. requirement, training and qualification conducted by the Philippine LPG - Association (PLPGA) for the proper handling and retailing of Auto-LPG. Such proof of training shall be submitted to the DOE-OIMB prior to its initial operation and subsequent renewal of SCC. The same shall be made available upon demand by the DOE during inspection. * === dc2007-02-0002-pages-07.ppm === vi. vil, Vill. Ensure that only certified station personnel are allowed to dispense Auto- LPG with strict observance of the following: 1) Familiar with and knowiedgeable of the emergency shutdown procedures observed by the auto-LPG dispensing station; 2) Compliance to pertinent provisions of Section on Consumer Safety and Informational Signs; 3) Only fixed and vehicle-mounted LPG containers are permitted for filling at LPG Stations. LPG cylinders for household use shall not be aliowed for refill in a Auto-LPG Dispensing Station; 4) Display of the PS/Global Check mark or the equivalent import commodity clearance (ICC) mark on LPG container and container name plate which indicates, among others, its manufacturing / re-qualification / retest date, as the case may be; , 5) The Auto-LPG container, including its attachments, is adequately protected from damage by impact from abjects being handled or carried by the vehicle; and 6) The remote fill valve is jocated outside the container / baggage compartment and an appropriate external filler cap is. provided. A dedicated 9,1 kg. BC rated BPS certified fire extinguisher shall readily be accessible within the dispensing area. No part of the vehicle being filled shall be in a public place. For this purpose, a “public place” shall refer to sidewalks, streets, or public parking. The following shall not be within the hose reach zone of the dispenser: 1) Public place; 2) Protected place e.g. place of worship, school, hospital, theater or any building or open area in which persons are accustomed to assemble in large numbers; 3) An entry into a building; 4) A pit or opening inte a ciose drain; and - 5) Basement or an aboveground tank for flammable liquid. The LPG tank.truck entry and exit driveways should be located in such a manner that ensures that the tank truck has ready access to the site so as to reduce the time it may need ta be exposed to traffic while entering or leaving the site. The LPG tank truck unloading position shall be such that the LPG tank truck is positioned wholly within the site during unloading. The unloading of an LPG tank truck shall only proceed when the exit is. not obstructed and it is positioned in such a manner that it can leave the site without recourse to reversing. Vehicles shall be prevented from driving over the filling hose if the LPG: tank truck parking area is away from the fill point. i Section 12, CONSUMER SAFETY AND INFORMATIONAL SIGNS The following signs shall be prominently displayed by the owner and/or operator of ' the Auto-LPG Dispensing Station in strategic and appropriate locations within the premises . : of the said outlet for the awareness and information of the buying public and station - personnel: a. Appropriately filled-up price display board indicating the updated price of the LPG . , product dispensed at the Auto-LPG Dispensing Station: Provided that the numeric entries shall be light blue in color and at least six (6) inches in height; b. Switching off of cellular phones and other electronic devices while filling; c. No smoking; ~ === dc2007-02-0002-pages-08.ppm === Dispensing Station or his duly authorized representative to conduct, among others, sample taking and testing of Auto-LPG dispensing pumps. The owner and/or operator of the Auto- LPG Station, or his/her duly authorized representative, shail allow said inspectors to inspect the Station and cooperate with them fully. The owner and/or operator or his/her duly authorized representative shall allow the duly authorized DOE-OIMB inspectors to take samples of Auto-LPG which they are offering for sale, in volumes as required by DOE issuances and Circulars on sample taking and as reflected in the Special Assignment covering the said inspection, for on-site product testing or quality tests at the DOE laboratory. The Auto-LPG Dispensing Station shall retain a duplicate set. of the samples obtained by the OIMB inspectors during the inspection and product quality verification. Rule V PROHIBITED ACTS Section 17. ILLEGAL TRADING The Owner or operator shall be deemed engaged in ILLEGAL TRADING under any _of the following circumstances: Engaging tn business without Standards Compliance Certificate; Non-issuance of receipts; Dispensing of LPG into househoid cylinders; Selling of Adulterated LPG for automotive use; and For bulk-suppliers, selling Auto-LPG to LPG Stations without SCC and to garage- based operators without DOE Certificate of Non-Coverage. eo2o79 Section 18. REFUSAL TO ALLOW INSPECTION The refusal to allow access or entry of authorized DOE - OIMB inspectors to the Auto-LPG Dispensing Station and/or to conduct the actual inspection and product sampling is prohibited and shall constitute prima facie evidence of ILLEGAL TRADING and shall be subject ta the penalty provided in Section 22 hereof. Section 19. UNDERDELIVERING The quantity of LPG products for automotive use delivered by the LPG dispensers at the Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations shail be within the maximum permissible errar (MPE) of +/-1%. . Dispensers delivering more than the MPEs_ shall be deemed to be UNDERDELIVERING. The absence of an “out-of-order” sign or padlock, locking the dispenser shall be deemed an actual use for the conduct of retailing. A dispenser found with a broken or no seal shall be immediately padiocked by the DOE-OIMB and shall be subject to applicable penalties under Section 22 hereof. Section 20. HOARDING For purposes of this Auto LPG Ruies, the following shall constitute prima facie evidence of HOARDING: a. The refusal of Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations to sell LPG products for automotive use shortly before a price increase or in times of tight supply, and in both === dc2007-02-0002-pages-09.ppm === d. Switching off of engines while filling; and e. Other safety signs as may be required by the DOE, other government agencies and concerned LGUs. Failure to provide and display any of the above-mentioned requirements shall subject the owner or operator of the station to the fine or sanction provided in Section 22 of these Rules. Section 13. ISSUANCE OF RECEIPTS All transactions involving the LPG Business for Automotive Use must be evidenced by an official receipt bearing the registered name and address of the seller and. indicating the quantity and price of the LPG product sold, the date of the transaction and such other information required by existing laws and rules on national internal revenue (or those implemented by the Bureau of Intenal Revenue). Duplicate copies of official receipts shall be made available for verification by DOE-OIMB inspectors/personnel. Rule Ill LPG DISPENSER CALIBRATION AND SEALING Section 14. IN-SERVICE CALIBRATION AND SEALING OF LPG DISPENSERS All LPG dispensers shall be calibrated quarterly or as often as possible or as deemed necessary by the calibrating entity. A dispenser that is not calibrated and sealed or goes off-calibration shall be clearly marked with an “out of order’ sign and shall not be used until the said dispenser is calibrated and resealed by the authorized calibrating entity. For the purpose of this Auto LPG Rules, the authorized calibrating entity is the Municipal or City Treasurer or, in its absence or incapacity, the DOST-ITDI, or, in its absence or unavailability, any other government agency authorized therefore or, in its absence, the representative of the Auto-LPG Dispensing Station’s bulk supplier duly authorized by the concerned LGU. The owner / operator shall maintain an updated record of calibration and shall be made available upon demand by the DOE-OIMB inspectors. Failure to provide the updated record of calibrations or properly sealed dispensing pumps shall give rise ta the presumption that the Aute LPG dispenser is UNDERDELIVERING. RULE IV PETROLEUM PRODUCT STANDARDS Section 15. PRODUCT QUALITY Only LPG products for automotive use and complying with the Philippine National . Standards PNS/DOE QS 005:2005, specifically Type 2B Propane Butane (C3-C4 Mixture) for Motor Fuels, shall be dispensed at the Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations. The bulk supplier shail provide a Certificate of Quality (COQ) for such LPG products | to the Auto-LPG Dispensing Station and shall be made available at all times for inspection. Section 16. PRODUCT SAMPLING AND TESTING OF AUTO-LPG DISPENSING PUMPS Duly authorized inspectors from the DOE-OIMB shall undertake random” and unannounced inspections in the presence of the owner and/or operator of the Auto-LPG === dc2007-02-0002-pages-10.ppm === instances if the buyer or consumer has the ability to pay in cash for the product; or b. The undue accumulation of Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations of LPG products for automotive use in times of tight supply or shortly before a price increase. For purposes of this Auto LPG Rules, “undue accumulation” shall mean the keeping or stocking of quantities of LPG products for automotive use beyond the inventory levels as required to be maintained by the Auto-LPG Dispensing Stations, for a period of thirty (30) days immediately preceding the period of tight supply or price increase. Section 21. ADULTERATION The possession of LPG products for automotive use, which do not meet the prescribed PNS, shall constitute prima facie evidence of ADULTERATION, and. the distribution or transportation of the said LPG product for purposes of sale, exchange or barter of adulterated products shalt constitute ILLEGAL TRADING. RULE VI ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AND SANCTIONS Section 22. FINES/SANCTIONS AGAINST PROHIBITED ACTS Any Person engaged in the LPG Business for Automotive. Use who commits any of the prohibited acts defined or provided in this Department Circular such as ILLEGAL TRADING, ADULTERATION, UNDERDELIVERY, HOARDING, refusal of inspection and violation of the other provisions of this Department Circular shall be imposed for the first offense, a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) for every prohibited act. An additional fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed against such Person in the event the latter is found to have committed the same prohibited act a second time. Commission of the sarne offense a third time, by the same person shall mean cancellation or revocation of its SCC by the DOE. ; Any person found operating without a SCC, the DOE shall cause the immediate cessation or suspension of the operation of the station and impose a fine of Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,000.00) against the owner or operator. No SCC shall be granted or issued unless said fines are paid and after full compliance with the requirements of Section 6 hereof. Section 23. REFUSAL OR FAILURE TO PAY FINE The DOE-O!IMB shall cause the immediate cessation or suspension of the operation or cancellation of the SCC of the owner / operator who refuses or fails to pay any administrative fine without prejudice to the filing of an appropriate criminal action if warranted. Section 24. INITIATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS Any Person may initiate administrative proceedings against Persons committing any of the prohibited acts defined or provided in this Rules in accordance with Department Circular No. 2002-07-004 (“Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the Department of Energy’); provided that, the DOE may motu propio proceed administratively against any Person who violates or does not comply with this Auto-LPG Rules pursuant to the said Department Circular No. 2002-07-004. Section 25. INITIATION OF CRIMINAL ACTS === dc2007-02-0002-pages-11.ppm === The initiation of an administrative action and/or the imposition of any fine against any Person who violates or does not comply with this Rule shall be without prejudice to the filing of any criminal action against such person pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended and R.A. 8479. RULE Vi FINAL PROVISIONS Section 26. TRANSITION PERIOD All Persons engaged in the LPG business for autornotive use that have fully complied with the prior notice requirements of the DOE pursuant to Department Circular No. -98-03-004 shall be given three (3) months from effectivity of this Auto LPG Rules to fully comply with the provisions hereof: Provided, that all persons intending to engage in Auto- LPG Business for Automotive use shall immediately comply with this Rules. Section 27, REPEALING CLAUSE All other DOE Issuances and Circulars not consistent with this Auto LPG Rules are hereby repealed or amended accordingly upon the effectivity of this Rules. Section 28. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE Should any provision herein be declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the same shali not affect the validity of the other provisions not so declared. “Section 29. EFFECTIVITY This Department Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. February 13 , 2007. RAPHAEL P.M. LOTILLA Secretary Effectivity: February _, 2007