Leading Independent Oil Company Cleanfuel has extended its full support to the Department of Transportation’s Free Ride Program for Health Frontline Workers until May 31 for the duration of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) period in Metro Manila.

The free fuel assistance has been made after the decision of Malacañang to place Metro Manila and other ‘high risk’ areas under a modified ECQ.

To help bus companies save on fuel expenses while taking part in efforts to transport frontline health workers to their respective medical communities, CleanFuel will continue to provide 810 liters of fuel daily for 16 bus units. Since the implementation of the oil company’s fuel subsidy program on 08 April 2020, CleanFuel has allotted over 50 liters of free fuel per bus unit each day. This will result to a total of 44,450 liters of donated fuel until May 31.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Mark Steven Pastor welcomes CleanFuel’s decision to sustain its support to the DOTr’s Free Ride Service for Health Workers program as the country continues to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang laban natin kontra COVID-19. Ibig sabihin, wala pa rin ‘hong patid ang pakikibaka ng ating mga frontliners, kaya’t tuluy-tuloy din ‘ho ang trabaho ng ating mga bus operator at drivers sa paghahatid sa kanila nang libre. Sabi nga po ni Secretary Tugade, dahil sa panganib at sakripisyo na kanilang ginagawa araw-araw, sila po ay maituturing nating frontliners—mga bayani. That’s why we are grateful for Clean Fuel for extending their fuel subsidy. You don’t only fuel up their vehicles, but also their confidence and courage to carry on with this meaningful cause,” Asec. Pastor expressed.

Participating bus units in the Free Ride Service for Health Workers program can avail of the extended fuel assistance at CleanFuel’s  station in Metro Manila.

Aside from CleanFuel, the DOTr has also partnered with Phoenix Petroleum, Petron Corporation, Sea Oil Philippines, and Total Philippines for the provision of fuel subsidies to transport companies participating in the program.

Since its launch on March 18, the DOTr’s Free Ride Service for Health Workers program has already reached a total ridership of 750,866 nationwide as of 12 May 2020. Of this number, 153,846 are from the National Capital Region, while 597,020 are from other regions outside of Metro Manila.