SMC waives P191 in toll fees for medical frontliners

One year since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has waived P190.7 million worth of toll fees for medical frontliners passing through expressways it operates.

SMC – which operates the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Skyway system, including the newly opened Skyway Stage 3; NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway – is the only toll operator in the country that continues to implement “no toll fees” policy in support of medical frontliners.

A total of 10,402 medical front liners currently benefit from the program, first announced by SMC at the start of the lockdown last year. Signups for the program continued for six months, and were closed in September last year.

“One year on and the fight against Covid-19 continues. In fact, with this recent surge in cases, our medical frontliners are again facing a difficult challenge, and their lives are again at higher risk. We hope that at least, it has lightened their burden, and that everyday they go to work, they are reminded of how San Miguel and the whole country are grateful for their sacrifices,” SMC President Ramon Ang said.

The conglomerate also donated PCR testing machines and testing kits, fully-automated RNA extraction machines, high-flow cannula respiratory machines, temporary quarantine facilities, life insurance for frontliners, personal protective equipment, disinfecting alcohol, and free fuel for shuttle services.

“While we wait for the life-saving vaccines to arrive for the rest of the population in the coming months, we need to be very vigilant in protecting ourselves and preventing an even bigger surge in cases by wearing masks, face shields, washing of hands and keeping social distance,” Ang said.