Lamut bans ‘bote-bote’ gas trade over fire risks; Violators face fines, permit cancellation

LAMUT, Ifugao — The municipal government of Lamut has banned the sale and storage of gasoline in soda bottles and other unauthorized containers to prevent fires and protect residents, while encouraging barangays to establish legal gasoline outlets.

The ban is covered by the recently approved Anti-Bote-Bote Ordinance of the Sangguniang Bayan, which prohibits the sale, distribution, retailing, and storage of gasoline in improvised containers, a practice locally known as “bote-bote.”

Under the ordinance, violators face fines, confiscation of gasoline, and suspension or cancellation of their business permits, depending on the number of offenses.

First-time violators face a ₱1,000 fine, confiscation of the gasoline, and a one-month suspension of their business permit.

The penalty increases to ₱1,500 and a three-month permit suspension for a second offense. A third offense carries a ₱2,500 fine, confiscation of the gasoline, and revocation of the business permit.

Mayor Mariano Buyagawan Jr. said the measure aims to prevent fires and other accidents that could endanger residents, particularly when gasoline is stored in containers not designed to hold fuel.

“A bottle of gasoline is a time bomb. One fire in the house, one barangay will be affected. The P1,000 fine is cheaper than P1,000,000 damage from a fire,” Buyagawan said in a Facebook post.

He said the local government lowered the penalties but retained the prohibition because the potential damage from a fire could far exceed the fines imposed on violators.

“Ang trabaho ng LGU ay ipatupad ang batas, pero may puso. Kaya binaba natin ang penalty.

Pero hindi natin puwedeng alisin ang pagbabawal dahil kapag pumayag tayo, ibig sabihin pumayag tayo sa disgrasya,” he added.

Enforcement and safer alternatives

The Lamut Municipal Police Station, in coordination with barangay officials, is tasked with confiscating gasoline stored in prohibited containers and bringing the seized fuel to a designated municipal storage facility.

Police and barangay officials may also apprehend violators and pursue the filing of appropriate charges. The Bureau of Fire Protection is likewise authorized under the ordinance to confiscate prohibited petroleum products.

Buyagawan said the ordinance implements locally the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes certain prohibited acts involving petroleum products that threaten public interest and national security.

Alongside stricter enforcement, the municipal government is encouraging barangays without gasoline outlets to establish legal sources of fuel.

Buyagawan urged barangay officials to approach the municipal government for assistance in securing business permits, saying the LGU is willing to make the application process easier.

“To barangays that do not have yet, come to the municipal office. We will make getting a business permit easier. We will help you apply. We want more legal and safe gas outlets in Lamut,” he said.

The municipal government aims to reduce fire risks associated with improvised gasoline containers while improving residents’ access to safer, legally operated fuel outlets.