50 traders eye Pagcor fund for gas station training

The Department of Energy (DOE) reported yesterday that more than 50 entrepreneurs have expressed interest in the P300-million Gasoline Station Training and Loan Fund (GSTLF) provided by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Perez said the DOE started the other day a series of training workshops on skills development, management course for gas station owners and operators in the Visayas.

"The participants expressed interest to establish their own gasoline stations by availing themselves of technical and financial assistance from the fund," Perez said.

The energy chief said this is a welcome development given the efforts of the DOE to enhance competition on the oil industry under a deregulated environment.

Pagcor has provided a P300-million fund to assist small entrepreneurs in putting up their own gas station outlets.

Part of the program is the conduct of training workshops that will equip prospective gas station owners/operators with management and entrepreneurial skills to ensure viability in the operation of a gasoline station as well as compliance to quality, health, environmental and safety standards.

Perez said the skills and management course was developed by the Asia Institute of Petroleum Studies. He said the DOE is conducting the training workshop nationwide. It was launched in Manila last Aug. 28 in 21 provinces in Luzon and in Metro Manila.

The Mindanao training workshop will be held in Davao City from Sept. 18 to 20.

"I encourage our small entrepreneurs to join this special funding from Pagcor to start their own business, which in turn provide job opportunities for the locals in their respective areas," Perez said.

The energy secretary added that establishing gasoline station will also provide easy access of fuel products to the motorists in the provinces. –Donnabelle Gatdula