MANILA, Philippines — Business conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is extending its free toll privilege and fuel subsidy for medical frontliners.
The free toll program will continue indefinitely in support of the medical community, according to SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang.
The SMC program for medical frontliners started in March and has so far amounted to P53.49 million in waived fees.
Over 9,250 medical frontliners availed themselves of the free toll radio frequency identification stickers, which can be used in all SMC Infrastructure-operated expressways.
These expressways include the STAR Tollway, South Luzon Expressway, the Skyway system, NAIA Expressway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.
“The sense of gratitude we have for the sacrifices and heroism of our medical frontliners remains as deep and strong as it has ever been. They are our modern-day heroes. We’ve continued this program because we want to at least provide them some measures of relief and show them our support. We will continue to help them any way we can,” Ang said.
The SMC, through its subsidiaries SMC Infrastructure and Petron Corp., also provided free fuel to the Libreng Sakay programs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Fuel subsidy of 3,000 liters per day was provided for 60 DOTr shuttle buses that ferry health workers to various hospitals and health facilities since April 7, the SMC said.
It recently extended its free fuel program for the DOTr’s free shuttle program for medical workers.
“Our health workers continue to face challenges in the fight against COVID-19. We in the private sector should continue helping them.” Ang said.