CleanFuel extends fuel subsidy for DOTr’s free ride for health workers

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Saturday that oil player CleanFuel extended the fuel subsidy for participating bus units in the government’s free ride for health workers program.

In a statement, the DOTr said participating bus units in its ongoing free ride program can still avail of free fuel at select CleanFuel gas stations as the company extended its assistance to May 15.

The move came after the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the enforcement period of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in several areas of the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR).

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Steve Pastor commended CleanFuel for its action, saying its assistance would 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 said.

CleanFuel will continue to provide a total of 810 liters of fuel daily for 20 bus units, according to the DOTr.

The fuel subsidy assistance had been in implementation since April 8.

The oil company said that bus units can fill up their tanks at CleanFuel Kamias, and Pioneer branches.

The DOTr had 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.

Meanwhile, as of April 24, the Free Ride for Health Workers Program had recorded 395,287 total ridership since the start of its operations on March 18. — DVM, GMA News