In times like these, you can count on socially responsible companies. Take for instance Petron Corporation, a major oil company that has partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to help with the transportation needs of medical frontliners.
Petron has extended its fuel subsidy assistance for participating bus units in the Free Ride Service for Health Workers Program until 15 May 2020.
The move follows the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) now being enforced in the entire Luzon and other “high risk” areas in the country.
Since 13 April 2020, Petron Corporation has been granting free fuel to bus companies that are participating in the Free Ride Service for Health Workers Program, which aims to transport frontline health workers to hospitals and medical communities daily as the country continues its fight to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Petron’s fuel subsidy was made possible through the donation of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Infrastructure. Petron will continue to provide 50 liters of fuel to 60 vehicle units per day or a total daily allocation of 3,000 liters.
Four Petron stations (4) are assigned to accommodate participating private bus units. These Petron stations are located at Filinvest in Alabang, Macapagal Blvd. in Parañaque City, East Avenue in Quezon City, and in Mandaluyong City.
“It is a welcome development that our oil company partners are extending their fuel subsidies for the Free Ride Service for Health Workers. Secretary Tugade, and the whole of DOTr, are grateful for Petron’s generosity. This help will go a long way especially now that the ECQ will go on until May 15,” DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Artemio Tuazon Jr. said.
The DOTr Free Bus Service for Health Workers Program, which started on 18 March 2020, has partnered with various government agencies and private bus companies to transport frontline health workers since the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Aside from Petron, the DOTr has also partnered with other oil firms such as Clean Fuel and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., which have also extended their respective fuel subsidy assistance programs for the DOTr Free Bus Service for Health Workers Program until May 15. The other oil companies that have provided fuel subsidies were Seaoil Philippines and Total Philippines.
Currently, the program has recorded a total of 429,927 ridership as of 26 April 2020.
Malacañang earlier announced the extension of the enforcement period of the ECQ in the National Capital Region, other parts of Luzon, and other areas that are considered “high risk” for COVID-19 until 15 May 2020. The ECQ was initially set to end on 30 April. Motoring@MS
