Petron continues to fuel efforts during ECQ

MANILA: Petron Corporation, through its parent company San Miguel Corporation (SMC), continues its assistance in various fronts during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

A combined 85,000 liters of fuel has recently been donated to frontline workers. 40,000 liters of fuel for the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) free shuttle program and another 45,000 liters for the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Free Ride Service for Health Workers Program.

To date, 170,000 liters of fuel worth P5.8 million has already been donated by Petron.

“This is our simple way of honoring our brave and selfless medical workers on Labor Day. We want to continue honoring them by helping provide them this convenient, safe, and free means of transportation when they go on duty. Yes, it is a small thing, especially considering the risk they take and the sacrifices they make every day. But we are hoping it will at least make a little difference to them knowing that their government and donors like us, continue to support them in any way we can,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang.

On top of free fuel, SMC Infrastructure also waives toll fees for medical front liners at toll roads it operates, namely the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway System, NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

Petron has now turned 30 stations into key locations where people can buy frozen poultry products, fresh and processed meats, and ready-to-eat goods brought by SMC Logistics reefer van-turned-rolling stores. A few select Petron stations will be offering fruits and vegetables under the Department of Agriculture’s “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” rolling market program.

“We have 370 gas stations throughout Metro Manila. Their locations are strategic — near main roads in high-density areas. By making essential food products available there, there would be less need for people to commute or travel far and line up for hours in markets,” Ang remarked.

The 30 Petron stations are currently located in Pasig, Parañaque, Quezon City, Caloocan, Taytay, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Las Piñas, and Makati. Sixty more stations will soon be part of the program.

“Petron’s major stations will become a lifeline for farmers in the province struggling to find a way to sell their fresh farm harvest. With this program, we are able to help them sustain their livelihood in this time of crisis. At the same time, we’re also making available fresh fruits and vegetables to people in Metro Manila to complement the products we offer,” added Ang.

There are also rolling stores in the Visayas starting with five Petron stations in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Six Petron Treats convenience stores now also serve as pick-up points for products ordered via SMC’s new online ordering system, order.sanmiguelfoods.com. Participating branches include Treats Commonwealth, Diego Silang Katipunan, Santolan in Pasig, JP Rizal in Marikina, and Litex Road in Quezon City. SMC is looking to add 50 more stations.

Meanwhile, a donation drive has been launched by Petron to help medical frontliners, its scholars and communities, and personnel at checkpoints.

Using their Petron Value Cards, cardholders can donate their points to help procure vital medical supplies for hospitals and essential goods for front liners. Petron will match donations made for a certain period to generate more funds.

The supplies will be given to medical practitioners from the Lung Center of the Philippines, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), The Medical City, UST Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Medical Center Manila, Manila Central University Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, as well as front liners in Iloilo, Tagbilaran, and Cebu.

Photos from Petron Corporation and San Miguel Corporation

Also read: Petron and San Miguel team up to help farmers