MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Lanao del Sur has sought the creation of an interagency task force that would address the rampant proliferation of liquid fuels sold in “bote-bote' along the national highways.

BFP-Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Fire Supt. Jeraniel Taporco made a motion for the creation of Task Force Gasolina during the 3rd quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drugs Abuse Council.

He said there is a need for a body to look into the rampant selling of liquid fuels like gasoline and diesel placed in soft drink bottles and other portable containers as this may cause danger to lives and properties.

Taporco further said peddling of liquid fuels in soda bottles and similar containers is prohibited under the law adding that improper storage and handling of these products which are highly combustible and flammable may cause an accidental fire.

"Kasi takaw aksidente yan. By the law itself, unlawful yung pagbebenta at ang sabi ng batas yung gasolina ay dinidispense yan pump driven and not by gravity, hindi yung binubuhos-buhos. Pangalawa, pagbebentahan mo lang ay yung approved containers which is yung mga tanke ng vehicles. Direct dapat from the pump to the vehicle," he added.

With this, he appealed to local government units to also support the regulation of selling liquid fuels stating that it can be regulated and the sellers can still do business, but lawful and with a proper business permit.

The BFP director however clarified that what they are asking to be regulated are only those along national highways.

"Hindi na sakop yung nasa interior barangays kasi naintindihan natin na hindi naman lahat ng mga municipalities ay may gasoline stations at may mga barangay din na malayo sa gasoline stations," Taporco clarified.

[Interior barangays are no longer covered because we understand that not all municipalities have gasoline stations and some barangays are also far from gasoline stations.] (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)