Total allots P150M for expansion

Despite the global financial crisis, Total Philippines Inc. will invest up to P150 million to expand its network.

Anna Whitehouse, Total resident and managing director, said they are planning to put up 10 to 15 more retails stations next year.

She said they have also invested some P60 million to comply with the ethanol mandate under the Biofuels Act.

According to Whitehouse, they would be investing the P60 million for an oil depot that would house their ethanol-blended products.

Most of the new stations, she said, would be put up in Luzon and Visayas areas.  She declined to identify the exact locations of the retail stations.

She said Total had already invested some $100 million in the last 10 years in the Philippine oil industry.

“The plan is to continue to expand our operatios and we are here for the long-term,” she said.

“Total’s retail network is one of the fastest growing in the region and we are proud that our 500th station in Asia can be found right here in the Philippines,” Whitehouse said.

The new station is located in the Newport City Tourism Zone in Pasay City, a tourism economic zone.

Todate, Total currently has 128 stations.

According to Whitehouse, the company would be continuing with its expansion program in the south by putting up eight stations in Panay.

In a bid to strengthen its supply infrastructure in the area, Total is set to open its oil depot in Cadiz in the first quarter of 2009.

Whitehouse said they are also planning to provide Auto LPG product in their Newport City station soon.

It is engaged in the importation, storage and distribution of fuels, oils, lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).