Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- March 2, 2018 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Department
of Energy (DOE) yesterday signed separate agreements with oil firms to provide
fuel discounts to drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).
The DOE entered into a deal with
Petron Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum
Corp. to cushion the impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion
(TRAIN) law, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.
The move is part of the oil
companies’ corporate social responsibility programs.
“It aims to mitigate the impact of
TRAIN on transportation fares,” Cusi said.
The program will expand the oil
firms’ existing discount programs for PUV drivers, which include the increase
in the number of participating retail stations.
Under the agreement, Petron, Shell
and Phoenix Petroleum will give PUVs at least P1 discount on fuel products per
liter.
The oil companies will also provide
a designated lane for PUVs.
“We are hopeful that operators
and drivers of PUVs will not seek fare hike that will burden the riding
public,” Cusi said.
Emmanuel Erana, chief financial
officer of Petron, said the PUV discount is available at 500 stations in Metro
Manila and nearby provinces.
Petron has over 2,900 stations
across the country.
“We will start giving the discount 10
days after the signing of the agreement,” Erana said.
Phoenix Petroleum will offer
discounts in 150 out of 530 stations nationwide, vice president for external
affairs Raymond Zorrilla said.
DOE assistant secretary Leonido
Pulido said they were hoping that more oil players would give fuel discount to
PUVs.
“It’s not limited to just three oil
companies. They were the first to respond to our call,” he said.
“Chevron and other stakeholders are
interested to join the program,” Pulido added.
Cusi said the TRAIN Law aims to
raise funds to finance government infrastructure projects to uplift the lives
of the people.
“Energy efficiency and these CSR
schemes are being pursued by the DOE to maximize the benefit of having a higher
take home pay for lower and middle class taxpayers,” he said.
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