Pilipinas Shell inaugurates mobility station in Marilao, Bulacan

MANILA: Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation opens its newest mobility station in Marilao, Bulacan. The Shell Marilao "mobility station," the fuel company’s first of its kind in North Luzon, comes with improved features for mobility, sustainable innovations, local enterprises, and customer-centricity.

As it takes on a fundamental role in determining the mobility future of the country, Pilipinas Shell has started to revamp its gas stations and develop its retail business model into what the company calls mobility stations.

“The pandemic demonstrated just how important mobility is in our daily lives. It kept some jobs and businesses afloat during a volatile period by expanding in new and innovative ways,” Pilipinas Shell President and Chief Executive Officer Cesar Romero stated.

Shell Marilao is a one-stop convenience hub where customers can avail fuel products and vehicle maintenance checks through the Shell Helix Oil Change+ and car wash facilities. It also offers motorcycle care services and free helmet and motorcycle seat cleaning through the Shell Advance Moto Care Express. The mobility station also comes with Shell Select and deli2Go where customers can buy foods and other essentials.

Pilipinas Shell Vice President and General Manager for Mobility Randy del Valle said, “While restrictions on mobility during the early phases of the pandemic were crucial to our health and safety, we cannot remain immobile forever. This is why the mobility station is designed to cater to the demands of the times and the evolving needs of the people.”

Shell transforms its typical gas stations into leisure and lifestyle hubs catering not only to motorists, but also to larger market segments with varying needs, like tourists and business travelers. The Shell Select located in the mobility station also offers the best products and goods that are manufactured in Bulacan including turmeric tea, chicharon, mushroom chips, condiments, and processed meat.

Pilipinas Shell Non-Fuel Retail Manager Rolyn Tomarong believes that Shell Marilao will significantly contribute to the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem. She stated, “We do not exist within the confines of this site alone, but as part of a wider community. This is an exciting opportunity to use the Shell Select platform to serve more people and provide livelihood to the community. Some of the non-food products from Bulacan that we promote are native fans and bags, home furnishings, handicrafts, and jewelry.”

Shell stays true to its commitment to support local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by giving Filipino entrepreneurs a venue to sell their products through the wide network of Shell Select branches nationwide. This is in relation with the initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to promote locally made products across the country by showcasing the creative skills and resourcefulness of the Filipinos through the One Town One Product (OTOP) program. Shell Marilao has 100 partner suppliers that are OTOP-accredited.

“We are excited with this program,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said. “This partnership shows the spirit of bayanihan in times of crisis. It’s one way to build back better for a post-pandemic future.”

In parallel, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona stated, “The year 2020 has been very challenging to our MSMEs. The community quarantine since March 2020 in response to the pandemic has forced many businesses to close or operate at lesser capacity. Businesses are slowly opening up now from 20% in June 2020 to 50% in January to February 2021. Our MSMEs need financing assistance with marketing assistance coming in second. What we are doing now is a good service to our MSMEs because many of them had their cash flows affected by the pandemic. We are indeed thankful for this partnership with Shell as this will help entrepreneurs get back on their feet and help local governments rebuild.”

In line with the fuel company’s strategic priority to enable low-carbon operations through sustainable solutions, Shell Marilao  was built using Shell Bitumen FreshAir, which reduces the emissions connected with laying down of asphalt. Its walls are made of eco bricks or reusable building materials made out of plastic bottles filled with solid plastic to make them firmer. This material enables greater insulation, which contributes in reducing energy consumption in the long run. The station is also equipped with rain catchers and solar panels.

To ensure that mobility stations serve as one-stop shops, Shell Marilao is fully equipped with restrooms, car service centers, automated teller machines (ATMs), and various food establishments.

“It serves as a pitstop where everything that a person can possibly ever need on a journey is readily available. We are working to serve the community — not just giving quality offers to our customers, but really serving the community and this partnership with DTI is helping our fellow Filipinos get back on their feet,” Tomarong said.

Photos from Pilipinas Shell

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