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Dennis Uy-led Phoenix Petroleum to subsidize govt's free ride program for healthcare workers until June 30
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News Dennis Uy-led Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. has committed to subsidize the government's free ride service for health workers programs until the end of June.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Phoenix Petroleum has guaranteed to provide 30 liters of fuel a day to 60 private bus companies participating in the department's free ride service for health care workers until June 30.
This is equivalent to 1,800 liters of fuel a day, or additional 27,000 liters until the end of the month, with the company supporting the initiative since April.
"This assurance of a fuel subsidy by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is a welcome development. Secretary Tugade, and the whole of DOTr, are grateful for the generosity of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines as it further extends its assistance until June 30," said Trade Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr.
"This fuel subsidy will enable us to help with the transportation needs of our health workers, especially now that the National Capital Region and its neighboring regions are under GCQ," he added.
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According to the DOTr, the program's ridership breached the million mark on May 30, 2020.
Aside from the fuel subsidy, 2GO Group Inc. -- where Uy sits as chairman -- has partnered with the DOTr to rent out two of the company's passenger vessels as floating quarantine facilities for coronavirus patients.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade in April said the DOTr is paying P35 million to 2GO, but Uy said the company will not accept the payment as the rent was made as a donation.
"To set the record straight, actual cost to operate the two vessels as quarantine facilities is at PhP260M. But this was intended to be a donation. The P35 million was an offer made by the DOTr, for which we had no plans of accepting," said Uy.—AOL, GMA News