By Emmie V. Abadilla
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) unit SMC Infrastructure provides Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel manning the checkpoints of their expressways with essential equipment, food and supplies.
The checkpoints at various key areas on the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway system, NAIAX, and the Tarlac- Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) are tasked with ensuring the effective implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, and the safe and smooth flow of essential goods on expressways.
These include portalets, motorcycles and riders, tents, passenger vehicles, generator sets, tower lights, traffic cones, and barriers. The company also regularly provides drinking water and sends disinfection teams and supplies.
“Apart from our medical practitioners, our law enforcement and security forces are providing an invaluable service and are also sacrificing a lot to make sure that we are all safe,” remarked SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang.
“That is why since day one, we have extended all the support we can give to them. We will continue to do so, to ensure they are better enabled to fulfill their duties,” he added.
Earlier, SMC Tollways announced that over 2,000 medical practitioners had availed of its toll-free RFID stickers for doctors and nurses, as a show of support and gratitude for their fight against the Covid-19 virus.
In less than a week of implementation, SMC has over P1.1 mil¬lion worth of toll fees for medical front liners.
SMC also put up priority lanes at the SLEX for medical personnel and equipment, as well as essential goods such as food and raw materials for production.