The Department of Energy (DOE) praised the downstream oil industry for its timely and continued support to the response efforts of the national government against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“We commend our downstream oil industry for tirelessly providing much-needed assistance to their employees, clientele, and the general public, most especially to our frontliners, our present-day heroes. Now more than ever, we must stand as a united people. For us to heal as one, we must fight the pandemic as one,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi emphasized. 

This is in line with the Republic Act No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” which directed the urgent implementation of measures to address the national health emergency and the extension of respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

The oil companies which implemented COVID-19 CSR response measures are:  Petron Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Chevron Philippines, Inc., Phoenix Petroleum, Inc., Seaoil Philippines, Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Total Corporation-Philippines, Clean Fuel Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, Inc., Pryce Gases, Inc., and Isla Gas Philippines. 

The energy department urged the downstream oil industry to enforce similar measures, which could go a long way in the country’s battle against the disease.

“We will always support our stakeholders and assist them in finding proactive and effective solutions to all the challenges our industry would be facing amidst this pandemic. The entire energy family is working 24/7 to ensure that energy services will remain unhampered during this most critical time,” Secretary Cusi concluded.