Petron rolls out mid-year sales promos

Leading oil company Petron Corporation recently announced its mid-year sales promos for various product lines, to give consumers more values for their patronage.

Instant Win Promo (school supplies). In time for school opening, every P1,000 single or accumulated purchase of Petron Diesel Max or Petron Xtra Unleaded entitles the customer to pick a prize. At stake are ballpens, pencils, key chains, notebooks, and ID laces. This promo is offered at participating stations in the Bicol region as well as in VisMin, from June 20 to July 20, 2011.

Free SanMig Coffee Promo. From 6-9 am, Petron helps keep jeepney drivers awake with free SanMig coffee for every P150 purchase of Petron DieselMax. Offered at participating Petron stations in Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon, this free coffee offer runs from June 20 to July 20, 2011.

Bo’s Coffee Promo. Coffee lovers will surely appreciate the P100 gift certificate from Bo’s Coffee that they get with every Petron Change Oil package from June 01 to July 15, 2011. The promo is available at Petron stations in Metro Manila as well as in Visayas and Mindanao.

Instant Trapal and Tire Cover Promo. Targeted at tricycles and public utility vehicles, this promo offers a free trapal or free tire cover. A purchase of 1-liter of Petron Sprint 4T or Petron Sprint 2T plus P200-worth of Petron XCS instantly entitles the buyer to a free trapal. A purchase of 6-liters of Petron Rev-X plus P500-worth of Petron Diesel Max gives the customer a free tire cover. Promo runs from June 01 to July 30 in Metro Manila and from June 15 to July 15 in the rest of Luzon.

SM Advantage Card-Petron Gasul Promo. Running from June 01 to August 31, 2011, all SM Advantage Card holders who buy an 11-kg Petron Gasul will earn 5 bonus points on their card. This promo is offered at select Gasul outlets in Metro Manila.

Petron Lakbay Alalay Free Safety Check-Up. In support of the recently-launched global initiative of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, Petron has also expanded its Petron Lakbay Alalay free safety check-ups into a year-round program at participating Petron stations nationwide. The free safety checks help ensure that vehicles are well-maintained and roadworthy for safe, accident-free travel.

To take advantage of all these value-added offers from Petron, simply visit the participating dealers that are easily-identified through the promo banners and streamers prominently displayed on-site.

2011 SME STAR PROGRAM

Provincial MSMED Councils honor SME Rising Stars

In the run-up to SME Week, which will be celebrated on the second week of July this year, the provincial MSMED Councils have started announcing the winners of the SME Rising Star Award in their respective provinces.

With government statistics indicating that 99.6% of registered businesses belong to the micro, small and medium enterprise segments, the government’s SME Star Program was formulated as an important framework for SME development and promotion.

According to DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, “The SME Star Program is a competency program that supports the growth and sustainability of SMEs through the business development stages. In cooperation with other SME stakeholders, we offer a package of services and interventions in such key areas as marketing, production, financial management, and management and technical skills development, in order to nurture the enterprise’s growth to the next stage.”

The SME Star Program identifies three stages of business development, with a corresponding recognition or award for each level. Stage 1 is the start-up or capability-building phase, and is recognized through the SME Rising Star Award given at the provincial level. Each province awards three SME Rising Stars — one winner each for the micro, small, and medium enterprise categories. A total of 249 start-up businesses are recognized as SME Rising Stars annually. Stage 2, identified as the market penetration or export awareness stage, is the next step in successful enterprise development. At this stage, outstanding businesses are recognized at the regional level with the SME Star Elite Award. Per region, one micro, one small and one medium enterprise is conferred the SME Star Elite Award; a total of 48 deserving SMEs will receive the recognition annually.

Nueva Ecija recently announced the province’s first-ever nominees to the SME Star Elite Awards, as follows: Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija, Nueva Cabanatuan Meat Products, and Philnor Aqua, Inc. for the micro, small and medium enterprise categories, respectively. At the awarding ceremonies, Dr. Reynato C. Arimbuyutan, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Nueva Ecija chapter noted that, “The awards might be the key needed to open the interest of businessmen to improve the competitiveness of the province.”

The SME Star Program is seen as an important component in MSME development and promotion, as it recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs that have shown remarkable achievements in growing their businesses to become globally competitive enterprises.

As part of the SME Week celebration in July, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino is expected to launch the search for the national SME Star Presidential Awardees from among the top SMEs in the country, particularly those that have successfully expanded operations in the domestic market or become globally competitive. One SME Star Presidential Award winner will be announced in 2012.

Generika aircon stores ensure drug potency

Heat, humidity can reduce efficacy of medicines
Studies show that exposure to heat and humidity can affect the potency and stability of many prescription and over-the-counter medicines. In fact, although most drugs are recommended to be stored at “room temperature”, the ideal temperature range for safe drug storage is actually from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

The Philippines’ tropical weather is less than ideal for proper medicine storage. Especially during the hot summer months, daytime weather often reaches over 30 C. This can result in a degradation of our medications, making them less efficacious with the possibility of producing some adverse effects, without our knowing it.

Because medicines are sensitive to temperature and humidity, all Generika Drugstore outlets are air-conditioned to preserve the efficacy and potency of its products, while at the same time serving its customers in a more comfortable setting. Similarly, the Generika central warehouse and storage facility is temperature-controlled to ensure that the stocks are stored safely and effectively in accordance with required standards. According to the US Pharmacopeia (USP), controlled room temperature is defined as “a temperature maintained thermostatically that encompasses the usual and customary working environment of 20 to 25 C that allows for brief deviations between 15 to 30 C that are experienced in pharmacies, hospitals and warehouses.”

A UK study pointed out that many drugs such as cephalexin, ampicillin and erythromycin, are temperature-sensitive and have reduced efficacy when exposed to high temperatures. Even aspirin has been shown to degrade when exposed to heat.

Here are some tips to ensure your medication retains its efficacy:
• Always check storage information for your medicines. It may be wise to refrigerate certain medications.
• Avoid stocking up on large amounts of medicine. Have a small supply for emergencies and buy fresh medicines as needed.
• Never leave your medicines inside the car for long periods; do not store medicines in the trunk of your car.
• When traveling, keep your medicines in your hand-carried bag instead of checking them in with your luggage. Be sure, though, to use their original containers with pharmacy labels to avoid problems with international checkpoints.
• Do not leave the cotton plug inside the medicine bottle. Doing so can draw moisture into the container.
• Check the expiration date each time you take a drug. Throw out and replace any medications that are out of date.
• Never use medication that has changed color, consistency or odor, regardless of expiration date. Throw away capsules or tablets that stick together, are harder or softer than normal, or are cracked or chipped.
• Do not store your medicines inside the bathroom. Bathroom cabinets tend to be warm and humid, an environment that speeds up the drug breakdown process. Bathrooms are among the worst places to store medicines.

Generika Drugstore prides itself in being driven by a strong sense of social purpose. As noted by Generika president Teodoro Ferrer, “At Generika, we put the quality of the medicines we sell above all other considerations. Generic drugs should never be equated to lower quality. By providing affordable, quality medicines, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to the health of the communities we serve.”

Generika Drugstore was the national winner in the drugstore chain category of the DSAP (Drugstore Association of the Philippines) Quality Award in 2008. In 2009, the BFAD (Bureau of Food & Drugs) Quality Seal Award was granted to five Generika Drugstore branches, while the Generika-Soledad branch was named overall winner for the drugstore chain category.

Key stakeholders commit support for SME Summit

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo has announced that preparations for the SME Development Week celebrations this year are well underway, with commitments of support from key stakeholders.

In particular, the SME Summit, scheduled for 07 July 2011 at the Philippine Trade Training Center, is expected to serve as a springboard for the SME Development Agenda of the Aquino administration.

The morning plenary session, which will showcase SME Success Stories, will focus on how private and public sector partnership can nurture award-winning, world-class businesses from ordinary citizens.

The first plenary session will highlight an Enabling Business Environment as one of the key components for SME success. Lined up as resource persons are Jose Sales de Villa, proprietor of Giga Enterprises, an award-winning producer of organic wellness products; Emilio Tingson, a licensing officer from Ormoc City; and Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr., chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The next sharing session on Access to Finance will start off with a presentation by Rommel T. Juan, president and chief executive officer of Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc., a local fastfood chain serving favorite Pinoy dishes wrapped in banana leaves. After him will follow Dr. Ramon Quesada, chairman of the Small Business Corporation, a government agency that provides liquidity support and financing facilities for SMEs. The third speaker will be Agnes Angeles, a senior vice-president of Planters Development Bank, a privately-owned bank offering products and services specially geared for SME promotion.

The third sharing session, on Access to Markets, will start off with Venus C. Genson Ph. D., managing partner of Venus Crafts, an exporter of fine Philippine furniture. Rosario Virginia C. Gaetos, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) will also discuss the programs and services for promoting Filipino exports, while Josephine T. Locsin, president of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) will present their experiences in expanding their market presence.

The final session on Productivity and Efficiency, will have the following speakers: Ret. Col. Virgilio C. Jose of Vjandep Bakeshop, based in Camiguin Island, will share how their shanty-like factory was able to expand into a modern production facility with assistance from the Department of Science & Technology (DOST). His talk will be complemented by presentations from Dr. Teresita C. Fortuna, NCR regional director of the Department of Science & Technology (DOST), and Joel C. Amante, president of the Philippine Total Quality Management Foundation as resource persons.

The SME Summit is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, MSMED Council members, local government units, trade and industry associations, business development services providers, and other SME advocates.

Petron Lakbay Alalay supports global initiative for road safety

Petron Lakbay Alalay, the county’s longest-running and most extensive motorist assistance program, has aligned its activities to strongly support the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, launched on 11 May 2011. The campaign was rolled out in the Philippines under the auspices of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP), and international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

One of the key elements during the launch was the presentation of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP), formulated by the DOTC in partnership with other government agencies and private sector representatives.

The global road safety advocacy includes a Road Safety Pledge that states: “ I support the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. As a road user, I pledge: Not to use my cell phone while driving; Not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; To always use a seatbelt while driving; To maintain my car in good, roadworthy condition; Not to be goaded into road rage by aggressive drivers and motorcyclists; Not to throw garbage out of my car; To always observe and follow road laws, rules and regulations.”

Petron Lakbay Alalay, which was recently expanded from a Holy Week motorist emergency assistance activity into a full-blown summer road safety program, inherently supports the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. In particular, the free safety checks offered at participating Petron stations helps ensure that vehicles are well-maintained for worry-free travel. Petron also has a Mobile Lakbay Alalay project that sends road safety tips as well as car care and service reminders to registered mobile phone users.

Through its network of more than 1,700 service stations—the largest in the oil industry—Petron is in an excellent position to further promote the road safety advocacy in response to the worldwide call to action to prevent road accidents and save lives.


Generika strengthens market presence; offers more than just generics

Generika Drugstore, a pioneer in the retail distribution of quality generic medicines in the country, is strengthening its market presence this year through store expansion and brand-building activities.

Founded in 2003, the Generika Drugstore chain aims to provide for the health care needs of Filipino families by offering affordable but quality products with superior customer service.

Affordable Quality
Generika Drugstore not only offers generic medicines as a value-for-money alternative to branded products. It also ensures that consumers get quality medicines that carry the same active ingredients and are as beneficial as branded products.

Generika Drugstore has strong internal standards for screening and monitoring the quality of medicines offered in its drugstores. It carries only BFAD-approved products and verifies that its suppliers comply with good manufacturing practices.

Since temperature and other storage conditions may affect the efficacy of medicines, Generika Drugstore warehouses and stores are air-conditioned to maintain drug potency.

Affordable quality, not lowest price is the Generika Drugstore mission.

Professional Service
Distinguishing it above other neighborhood boticas is the superior level of service offered by Generika Drugstore. In-store personnel are trained to offer professional counseling to customers, giving them advice on how to use drugs safely and effectively.

All Generika Drugstore outlets offer free blood pressure monitoring, while blood sugar screening (FBS/RBS) as well as cholesterol screening can be availed for a very minimal fee. Generika Drugstore conducts Libreng Konsulta, Libreng Bunot days as part of its outreach program, while generic awareness presentations are held to educate senior citizens and other groups about generic drugs.

All stores are fully computerized and use a powerful and user-friendly point-of-sale (POS) application that was developed in-house and continues to be enhanced for the benefit of franchisees and their customers.

Beyond Generics
In addition to quality generic medicines, Generika Drugstore also carries branded medicines, medical supplies, galenicals (or herbal formulations), and selected consumer goods — all at very competitive prices. Thus, Generika Drugstore offers a wider product selection and are more complete drugstores compared to similar small outlets.

For added customer convenience, selected Generika Drugstore outlets offer free delivery service for a minimum P300 purchase of generics.

Filipino Entrepreneurship
Starting out with a single outlet in Alabang in 2004, Generika Drugstore expanded to 16 company-owned stores strategic locations in Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna by 2008.

Building on the success of their business model, Generika opened up franchising opportunities to Filipino entrepreneurs in May 2008. Generika now has 170 operational soon-to-open stores all over the country. Many franchise applications are being processed and more locations will be opened as the company is geared to expand more aggressively in the coming months and years.

Its goal is to become the leading national drugstore chain that performs a vital service to the community by providing access to affordable, quality medicines as well as superior service driven by a strong sense of social purpose.

Multi-Awarded Drugstore Chain
Generika Drugstore was the national winner in the drugstore chain category of the DSAP (Drugstore Association of the Philippines) Quality Award in 2008. In 2009, the BFAD (Bureau of Food & Drugs) Quality Seal Award was granted to five Generika Drugstore branches, while the Generika-Soledad branch was named overall winner for the drugstore chain category.

Entrepreneur Magazine recognized Generika Drugstore with the Best in Franchise Support and Most Promising Franchise in 2009. In 2008, it named Generika Drugstore president Teodoro L. Ferrer as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs. Mr. Teodoro was also one of the finalists in the prestigious Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Philippines 2010.

Everyone’s Vision Petron: Lakbay Pinoy

Petron Student Art Competition now open for entries
Everyone’s Vision Petron is an exhibition and competition for all young and budding artists. Themed Lakbay Pinoy —Journeys to Remember, Pathways to Rediscover, this year’s competition focuses on life journeys expressed symbolically by roads, highways and byways. It can be a mountain path representing a journey to success, or a zigzag lane symbolizing seasons of change. It can be a forest trail sparking childhood memories, or a nostalgic route conjuring reminiscences of student life.

Petron believes that everyone has his/her own unique perspective on things and that this uniqueness can be expressed in so many different ways. This is the inspiration behind Everyone’s Vision Petron — the belief that free artistic expression remains intrinsic to nation-building.

Everyone’s Vision Petron is open to all talented students enrolled in a regular university or college course, or in tutorial and photography classes. Student artists may compete in three categories: Painting (oil and water-based media), photography, and t-shirt design.

In the painting category, six Grand Prize winners will each receive P50,000; for the colored photography category, six Grand Prize winners will each receive P30,000; and in the t-shirt design category, three Grand Prize winners will each receive P30,000. All winners will also receive a trophy/plaque designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Application forms are available at participating Petron service stations and bulk plants nationwide, or from the Secretariat Office (c/o Studio 5 Designs, 28 Paseo de Roxas cor Jupiter St, Bel-Air Village, Makati City, telephone 02-8909318). The form may also be downloaded from the website: www.visionpetron.com.

Deadline for submission of entries is 18 July 2011 at Petron bulk plants nationwide or 25 July 2011 at the Project Secretariat.

AVT launches custom dashboard set-ups and GPS tracking system

AVT, the leading OE supplier of multimedia and navigation systems in the Philippine market, was one of the major crowd-drawers in the recently-concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) held last April 7-10, 2011, at the World Trade Center Complex.

Techie car owners were treated to the latest in-car multimedia/information systems at the AVT booth, which showcased the highly-popular AVT Navigator devices as well as new products developed by the AVT R&D team.

Introduced at the event were the next must-have automotive accessories for local car buffs: AVT custom dashboard set-ups. Designed to replace factory-installed 2-din head units, AVT now offers a sophisticated multimedia information system that integrates navigation with audio-video capabilities in a customized package that is a perfect fit for the vehicle dashboard. Another add-on option is AVT’s customized backing-up cameras. AVT customized head units and camera set-ups are available for various car brands/models.

AVT Navigator devices enjoyed brisk sales at MIAS, indicating the motoring public’s increasing reliance on this travel aid. The country’s first-ever GPS navigation system with local support for updated maps of Metro Manila and the country’s key cities and major travel destinations, all AVT Navigator models feature a high-resolution touch screen, SD card slot, multi-media functionality, and voice prompt technology.

Continuing improvements by the iNAV support team have expanded map coverage to 130,000 points of interest nationwide, almost 100% of Metro Manila road networks, and updated maps for over 200 key cities and municipalities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Currently, only iNAV maps feature the unique junction view, which provides a street-level image of critical waypoints. The latest firmware upgrade also now incorporates house/establishment number for more accurate route information.

Building on their local mapping strength, iNAV also introduced prototypes of their iNAV Tracking systems that are currently being tested for consumer release later this year. Designed to offer affordable 27/7 real-time GPS tracking, the devices include personal, vehicle and asset trackers for greater security and peace of mind. iNAV Tracker devices will be offered for personal and industrial users within the next few months.

AVT (which stands for Audio-Video Technology) specializes in premium audio-visual entertainment systems for mobile applications. In addition to navigation systems, the company will soon be launching a range of mobile tracking devices for vehicle and personal security. AVT offers a wide range of in-car mobile electronics, including display monitors, DVD players, digital and analog terrestrial receivers, sound processor/high-power amplifiers, specialist speakers, and AV controllers and accessories to suit all types of in-vehicle installations. For the mobile entertainment market, it also carries all-in-one LCD DVD players in various screen sizes to meet every budget and application. Aside from consumer products that retail in car dealer accessories shops, AVT is also an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for many of the country’s leading car brands. iNAV Philippines Corporation is a subsidiary company dedicated to providing mapping support exclusively for AVT navigation devices. For more information, please visit www.avt.ph and www.inav.ph.

Petron Lakbay Alalay: Free check-up for a safer trip

Petron Lakbay Alalay wants to give you a safer trip to your summer destination by offering free service check-ups from mid-March until the end of May.

The free 15-point service check-up is offered at participating Petron service stations and car care centers nationwide and is part of Petron’s safety advocacy to help motorists prepare for safe, worry free travel. 

The free safety check, which covers tire pressure, oil and radiator water level, and brakes inspection, helps ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and in good running condition. No purchase is required to avail of these services, which is available to all motorists, absolutely free of charge.

Petron Lakbay Alalay’s commitment to promoting road safety for everyone is assured with the assignment of a dedicated mechanic assigned to render the free vehicle check at all participating service stations nationwide. All you have to do is drive into one of the 118 stations displaying the Petron Lakbay Alalay Free Safety Check streamer. There are 48 participating stations in Metro Manila, 16 stations in northern Luzon, 10 stations in southern Luzon, 29 stations in the Visayas, and 15 stations in Mindanao.

In addition to the free safety checks, Petron volunteers and partner expressways will offer emergency roadside assistance in strategically-located Petron stations and base camps inside the major tollways including North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Star Tollway, and Coastal Road.

Petron employees and dealers have also signed up for selected “Weekends of Volunteerism” during the summer holidays as their way of reaching out to Filipino motorists and giving them the Petron service that they deserve.

Summer road-trippers will be pleasantly surprised with Petron’s promo tie-up with the major tollways, billed as “Tollways Instant Win – Free Bunot”. Every Sunday until the end of May 2011, customers who fill up with P1,000 worth of any Petron fuel gets a chance to win instant prizes such as Cool Air gum, Tiger biscuits, Magnolia water, Magnolia chocolait, and San Mig coffee. This promotion is further intensified during Holy Week as it becomes a daily activity in the participating stations.

Petron Lakbay Alalay is celebrating its silver anniversary this year and is the longest-running motorist assistance program in the country. Run by Petron employee-volunteers as part of the company’s “volunteerism in action” philosophy, the pioneering public service activity has been replicated by other automotive and oil companies. The term Lakbay Alalay has, in fact, entered daily terminology as a generic term for various motorist assistance activities offering free mechanical help, communications support, medical services, clean restrooms and other services. Lakbay Alalay is a registered trademark of Petron Corporation.

2nd Petron Sprint 4T Endurance & Economy Run

Best fuel efficiency is 67.14-km per liter

2nd Petron Sprint 4T Endurance & Economy Run Winners, at the awarding ceremonies held on 06 February 2011, at Prince Hotel, Baguio City. In photo are ATPI president Francis Rivera (extreme left), Petron AVP-marketing Ana Neri (2nd from left), Petron lubricants general manager Conrad Rivera (2nd from right), and ATPI director Hubert Soriano (extreme right).

With its emphasis on safety and proper adherence to public riding safety rules and regulations, the 2nd Petron Sprint 4T Endurance an Economy Run, held last 05 February 2011, attracted a field of 306 entries in eight classes.

The most fuel-efficient run was registered by Mark Paul San Pascual, who was able to achieve 67.14-km/li in a Honda Dash 110cc, topping a field of 67 riders in Class 1 (100-115cc).

Topping the other classes were: Class 2 (116-125cc) – Jesusa Ramos in a Honda XRM 125cc, with 57.09-km/li; Class 3 (126-150cc) – Glenn Mora in a Yamaha Sniper 135cc, with 61.57-km/li; Class 4 (151-250cc) – Orland Lim in a Bajaj Rouser 200cc, with 51.76-km/li; Class 5 (251-500cc) – Emmanuel Balmes in a Sym Citycom 300cc, with 32.62-km/li; Class 6 (501-750cc) – Jun Santiago in a BMW 650GS 650cc, with 29.16-km/li; Class 7 (751-999cc) – Baltazar Usis in a BMW F800GS 800cc, with 28.64-km/li; and Class 8 (0ver 1000cc) – Joseph Ching in a BMW R1200RT 1200cc, with 25.83-km/li.

The 2nd Petron Sprint 4T Endurance and Economy Run required competitors to travel a distance of 750-kilometers with the most economical fuel consumption at the most reasonable time. Taking off from Petron-Diego Silang, the riders proceeded to Valenzuela, Bulacan and took McArthur Highway through the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Benguet and Mountain Province. Nineteen Petron service stations along the route were designated as official filling stations and checkpoints to verify that the participants followed the correct route and prescribed speed. The final checkpoint was at the Petron service station in Kisad, Baguio City.

Awarding ceremonies were held on 06 February 2011, at the Prince Hotel in Baguio City. The top 3 finishers for each class received trophies, cash prizes, Certificates of Accomplishment and t-shirt. The top 10 finishers in each class received a Petron Sprint 4T vest.

Petron Sprint 4T motorcycle oil comes in three variants to meet the different performance requirements of four-stroke motorcycles operating under moderate to severe driving conditions. These are the top-of-the-line Sprint 4T Enduro for the racing experience; Sprint 4T Rider for riding dependability; and Sprint 4T Extra for reliable performance.

WRU GPS Tracking and Navigation was the event’s official partner for live GPS tracking, and provided large-screen LCD monitors/projectors at the start and finish points. They also provided live monitoring of the competitors with real-time updates every 3 minutes and public broadcast via the internet on the event website www.sprint4trun.com.