SMC waives toll for medical frontliners

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. has waived toll on all its expressways for medical front liners in support of their sacrifices in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.   

The conglomerate’s infra arm, SMC Infrastructure, said its toll roads would be free of toll for all health care professionals for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

SMC’s toll road network include STAR Tollway, South Luzon Expressway Skyway, NAIAX and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

“This is the least we can do to show our appreciation and gratitude for our doctors and nurses’ who are working under extremely challenging circumstances to save lives,”SMC president Ramon Ang said.

“Considering the sacrifices they make on a daily basis, this is a small gesture. But nevertheless, we hope it helps make life a bit easier for them, and remind them that what they do for all us is deeply appreciated,” he said.

To avail of the toll-free privilege, SMC said medical personnel need to secure a special RFID sticker from SMC Tollways, or have their existing RFID sticker converted.

These may be availed at temporary booths the company has set up, initially at the Shell Magallanes gas station and the NAIAx toll gate, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Medical practitioners availing of the toll-free privilege are required to present their PRC license card, according to SMC.

Tollway personnel will install the toll-free RFID stickers on their vehicles or convert their existing stickers to toll-free stickers.

The company said it would make the toll-free RFID stickers available at other major locations soon.

“We hope that with this program, our medical frontliners would have one less thing to worry about,” Ang said.

SMC has also opened priority lanes at SLEX to help ensure the unimpeded flow of essential goods such as medical supplies and equipment as well as food and raw materials for food.

The company is also undertaking a massive effort to provide free rubbing alcohol to medical practitioners in hospitals as well as other vital agencies and institutions.