Two oil firms have extended their assistance on fuel susidy to further aid the government's free ride for frontliners initiative. 

Following the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte last April 24 that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and in other areas has been further extended until May 15, vehicles participating in the Free Ride Service for Health Workers will continue to receive free fuel at participating stations of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. and Cleanfuel. 

The two oil firms pledged to continue to provide for the buses that serve as transport vehicle until the end of the extended lockdown. 

Phoenix Petroluem are set to provide 50 liters of fuel a day to sixty (60) private bus companies participating in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Free Ride Service for Health Workers or a total daily allocation of 3,000 liters.

The said allocated volume can be availed at the seven (7) designated Phoenix Petroleum gas stations: PX RETAIL CODO-Timog and PNX RETAIL CODO-Bahay Toro in Quezon City; PNX RETAIL CODO-Mall of Asia in Pasay City; PNX AFA PSPC-NAIA Road in Parañaque City; PNX RETAIL CODO-Malanday 1 in Valenzuela; PNX RETAIL CODO-Potrero in Malabon; and PNX AFA PSPC-Filinvest-Northgate in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Service and official representative to the IATF Artemio Tuazon Jr. welcomed the decision of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines to extend its fuel subsidy assistance for the whole duration of the ECQ period.

“Matagal-tagal pa ang tatakbuhin ng ECQ kaya’t malaking bagay na talagang tuluy-tuloy din ang tulong natin sa mga bus companies na walang-kapagurang sumusuporta sa Free Ride Service [for Health Workers> ng DOTr. This is why we are grateful to Phoenix Petroleum for their continuous partnership. As [DOTr> Secretary Tugade had mentioned, our drivers and operators are considered as frontliners too and because of that, they also need all the support they can get,” Tuazon pointed out.

For his part, Phoenix Petroleoum Philippines, Inc. Senior Vice President Raymond Zorilla said that the extension of the free fuel grant is a way to ease the burden of our frontline health workers that have been sacrificing their lives to end the crisis.

“In view of the extension of the ECQ until May 15, we have decided to continue providing free fuels to the buses administered by the DOTR which transport our brave frontliners to their workplaces. This is our humble contribution in alleviating the plights of our new heroes so that they will no longer worry about their transportation and for them to concentrate in their efforts of containing this pandemic,” Zorilla said.

Meanwhile, Cleanfuel will continue to provide a total of 810 liters of fuel daily for 20 bus units—the same volume since its implementation in April 8. The said units can fill up their tanks at CleanFuel Kamias, and Pioneer branches.

Further, Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Steve Pastor has commended the move of CleanFuel, saying its assistance will greatly help bus operators continue to transport health frontliners to their various medical communities.

"Taos-puso po ang pasasalamat ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at ng buong DOTr sa CleanFuel. Simula pa noong Abril 8, nand’yan na sila upang tumulong sa ating mga bus units. At in-extend pa nila ito hanggang May 15. Gaya po ng palaging sinasabi ng ating Kalihim, malaking tulong po ito, hindi lang sa amin, o sa mga bus operators, gayundin sa mga frontliners na aming siniserbisyuhan araw-araw," Pastor expressed.

To recall, the DOTr also partnered with Phoenix Petroleum, Petron Corporation, Seaoil Philippines, and Total Philippines for the provision of fuel subsidies to transport companies participating in the Free Ride for Health Workers Program.

Since its initial launch on March 18, the DOTr Free Ride Service for Health Workers Program has recorded a total of 413,589 ridership as of April 25.

Also read

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Cleanfuel, Total Gives Fuel Subsidy for DOTr's Free Ride for Health Workers