By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Following the changes in the community quarantine classifications that took effect on May 16 and will last until May 31, 2020, more businesses have resumed their operations such as cargo and public transport, they are slowly returning to the country’s roads.
With this development, Caltex preps up to serve the needs of various transportations by opening up its retail network. They are opening of eight (8) new service stations in areas vital to the country’s food supply chain and ensure that delivery remains unhampered.
Chevron Philippines Inc recently opened two new Caltex stations in El Nido, Palawan. Palawan is one of the richest fishing grounds in the country, supplying Metro Manila with fresh seafood.
Another Caltex station also rose along Western Nautical Highway, Brgy. Puting Tubig, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. The province takes pride in its agriculture industry, being one of the main producers of various crops and fruits in the country.
There is also a newly opened retail station at Guagua, Pampanga, along Duat, Pulungmasle that incorporated other facilities such as milk tea shop, laundry service, payment center, and clothing shop. Pampanga is a major producer of rice, corn, sugarcane and tilapia for Central Luzon.
Up in the north, Chevron also opened a retail site in Santiago-Tuguegaro Rd., Quezon, Isabela, another known main crop producer. Isabela is hailed as the rice and corn granary of Luzon.
Another Caltex station to open in Luzon is located in Legaspi City-Tiwi Coastal Rd., Rawis, Albay. The province is famous for its rich abaca manufacturing economy as well as its fishing villages as the primary source of livelihood.
Two stations opened in Leyte, one along the Diversion Road and the other along the busy National Highway in MacArthur. The first station serves the residents of Barangay Caibaan, Tacloban City, and its surrounding communities while the second station serves the areas near and around the highway. Leyte is a major producer of rice, coconut, and sugarcane in the Visayan region.
“We understand the needs of businesses for easily accessible and quality fuels in order to efficiently transport goods and get local economies going. We are confident that these new stations will be able to help fulfill those needs,” shares Mr. Louie Zhang, General Manager for Products and Country Chairman, CPI.
Interestingly, the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector accounts for 10% of the GDP. It also employs more than half the country’s labor force. The industry is one of the few trades available for many Filipinos living in remote, less-affluent regions. Having the fuel to make the journey to sell their produce is vital to the economic survival of these communities.
All eight new stations carry Caltex’s brand of high-quality Euro 4 fuel products such as Platinum with Techron, Silver with Techron and Diesel with TechronD, and lubricants.