Pilipinas Shell launches: “Gas Mo, Bukas Ko”

To enable Shell station employees to have a better future for themselves and their families through capability building, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. – Retail, Association of Shell Petroleum Dealers Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. and institutional partners have initiated a united effort called “Gas Mo, Bukas Ko.”

“Gas Mo, Bukas Ko” (GMBK) is a program with main priority to provide a better future for retail stations’ staff and their dependents and the stations’ neighboring communities through capacity building programs.  These programs are designed to enhance the employable and livelihood skills of the GMBK scholars as well as develop their values and character.

The skills training being offered in the GMBK scholarship are divided into two major courses: Basic Skill and Alternative Livelihood.

Under the basic skills courses are automotive mechanics, auto air-conditioning, welding, basic computer course and basic accounting. On the other hand, the alternative livelihood courses are cell phone repair, animation skills, food preparation courses, therapeutic massage, beauty culture and cosmetology, small appliance repair and small engine repair. 

GMBK was launched last October 22 at the Parklane International Hotel which marked the acknowledgement of the collaboration, goodwill, hard work of all the partners for the program.

In an interview with The Freeman, Pilipinas Shell Foundation’s Social Development Manager Ma. Davina de Leon said that the GMBK program aims to give importance to their employees. As the front liners or the “face of Shell” in the eyes of the public, she said that it is but right that a particular program like GMBK will be catered to them.

“Since most people work better with added values, GMBK is for them to have better attitudes not only in working but in dealing with our customers. By doing this, we look forward to a well-motivated and better skilled retail station staff with a deeper sense of loyalty towards work and the brand,” she stressed.

She also added that, “this will redound to the customers’ satisfaction as a result of the good service provided. Over-all, GMBK hopes to bring about customer loyalty, good reputation and good relations with neighboring communities.”

In his keynote, PSPC General Manager for Retail Sammy De Guzman said that, “the presentation of the Shell GMBK Scholars for the Visayas region is the indication of more things to come for the region.”

De Guzman also emphasized that Shell welcomes the idea that their scholars might someday depart in their company having that added skills they have learned in the program. The company he said will be proud if the scholars will raise the level of their conditions and strive to achieve their higher goals in life instead of just serving Shell stations.

“You have to cherish this and take the program seriously. This is something for your future to keep you motivated to start a better life,” said De Guzman.

He added that, “this is a good program with many advantages for our employees and the company as it will help the business grow and even the nation as a whole having an educated workforce.”

The first screening of GMBK scholarship conducted by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. was undergone from August to September 2007 and nationwide there were 207 scholars, 80 of which from Luzon, about 85 in Mindanao and 40 in Visayas.

The Shell station areas in the Visayas that participated in the GMBK scholarship screening were Cebu, Negros, Tacloban City, Tagbilaran City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City and Bacolod City. PSFI is planning for another testing next year for the second batch of trainees for the program. —Rhia de Pablo