Workshops for gas station operators launched

The Department of Energy (DOE) is launching nationwide training workshops on the skills and management course for gas station owners and operators who will avail themselves of the P300-million Gasoline Station Training and Loan Fund (GSTLF) of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

The GSTLF, provided under the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act, paves the way for technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs willing to establish and operate their own gasoline stations.

The Oil Deregulation Law mandates the release of P300 million from Pagcor to help promote retail competition in the oil industry.

Bulk of the P300-million fund or P282 million will be exclusively allocated for lending and financial assistance, while the balance will be used for training and administrative expenses.

As part of the Arroyo administration’s campaign to encourage empowerment, the DOE’s program aims to support and encourage entrepreneurs to establish new independent gasoline stations nationwide. The training aims to equip prospective gas station owners/operators with management and entrepreneurial skills to ensure the viability of a gasoline station as well as compliance to quality, health, environmental and safety standards.

The skills and management course was developed by the Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies. The training discusses the downstream oil industry operation and gas station business and also includes developing a gas station business plan; manpower recruitment and training; safety and housekeeping; petroleum product features and handling; customer relations and sales promotions; accounting, controls and administration system and management operations.

The training workshop kicked off this week in Manila with a workshop for the Luzon and Metro Manila area. Over 50 participants from 21 provinces attended the workshop.

This program will also be launched in the Visayas region in Cebu City from Sept. 4-6 and in the Mindanao region with a workshop in Davao City on Sept. 18-20.

Recently, the DOE issued Department Circular No. 2002-05-001 on the rules and guidelines for the implementation of the GSTLF.

Under the guidelines, individuals, partnerships, cooperatives, associations, non-government organizations and corporations may enter into joint venture/supply agreements with the new industry players for the establishment, management and operation of gasoline stations, including LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) retailing. – Donnabelle Gatdula