Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) – Tabangao Refinery successfully turned over 340 Ultitec-4000 HAZMAT suits to be used as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the COVID-19 frontliners of Batangas Medical Center (BatMC) last April 3.
The turnover was spearheaded by Tabangao Refinery General Manager Jan Peter Groot-Wassink. Tabangao Refinery External Relations Manager Darlito Guamos, Tabangao Refinery Health Manager for Operations Myra Anico and other BatMC officials – Dr. Maritess Teresita Torio (Chief of Medical Professional Staff II), Ms. Helen Villena (Supervising Officer Property Officer), Ms. Josie Manalo (Finance Officer) – were also present during the turnover.
Mr. Groot-Wassink said that the HAZMAT suits are part of the remaining stocks from the shutdown and were stored at the refinery warehouse. He said that the suits have an outstanding barrier against biological hazards, and it is suitable for H1N1 Influenza management, Ebola Virus and COVID-19 disease control.
Dr. Torio said that the donation was a “blessing and very timely as they are running out of PPE’s and they are having a hard time sourcing it. This is a big help to our frontliners in Batangas Medical Center.”
Batangas Medical Center is Tabangao Refinery’s partner in Social Investment Programs, particularly on medical and dental missions. It is a Level III Department of Health Government Hospital that provides health services not only for Batangas but also for Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon.
Shell said that they also donated HAZMAT suits to Harbor Pilot Association of Batangas so they can used as a precaution for COVID-19 when boarding foreign vessels going to Batangas Port. The aforementioned oil firm is currently supporting the skeletal manpower of its contractor with free transportation to and from work.
As Shell puts top priority on the health and safety, the company salutes all the frontliners who are tirelessly fighting against the global pandemic.