During the latest inspections carried out this month by the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco), the improper use of 34 25-pound gas tanks was detected in 10 different commercial premises.
The gas cylinders that are subsidized by the State and were found in some restaurants, bakeries and lavatories are located in Panama City (20), Bocas del Toro 11 (7 connected and 4 inside the premises without use) and 3 in Colón (one connected and 2 that were unused, but full).
The penalty for this irregularity is B/.625.00 for each gas tank found in use by a commercial establishment. This year, 52 fines in the first instance for B/. 35,625.00 have been recorded on the Acodeco Fines Board.
Cabinet Decree No. 16 of March 11, 2014, in its article 9, establishes that “it is understood that sales of liquefied petroleum gas in 25-pound cylinders to restaurants, street or temporary food stalls, school cafeterias and soup kitchens qualify as residential domestic use. In addition, the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority is empowered to include other establishments within this classification by means of a reasoned resolution.”
All actions to monitor compliance with this decree are carried out by the respective regional administrations and the Acodeco Verification Department, who also respond to anonymous complaints filed by various consumers through the Institutional Information and Complaint System (Sindi), WhatsApp and Telegram 6330-3333.
