As the nation strives to get back on its feet amid the pandemic, Shell Philippines continues to be a key player in the country’s recovery and development by pledging its support to the Ingat Angat campaign. Ingat Angat is a private sector-led consumer confidence program that aims to support the acceleration of testing capacity, isolation, and treatment centers.
During this critical time, Shell recognizes that the retail sector is more than a provider of essential goods and services; they also have the unique opportunity to elevate public safety and health. With this in mind, Shell and Ingat Angat aim to cultivate an environment where people can feel safe, confident, and rise above the crisis together.
In its partnership with the private sector, Ingat Angat will disseminate public information online and in stores about proper health measures that will reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in public places. This initiative addresses the need to transform mindsets and ingrain a new standard of safety culture in everyone’s lifestyles as the people reclaim their lives amid the pandemic. However, safety is a shared responsibility that must be considered both by consumers and businesses.
“At Shell, keeping communities safe is at the core of our business. Since we began our operations, we have been committed to protecting people and the environment through our Health, Security, Safety, the Environment standards and Social Performance programs,” said Vice President for Retail Randy Del Valle. “We believe it is only through cross-sectoral collaboration that we can reopen our economy safely and go beyond just protecting lives—but enriching them.”
Ingat Angat takes on a holistic approach to curbing the spread of the virus. As of early August, the initiative had reportedly set up 99 labs nationwide and conducted 1,830,234 tests nationwide. The goal is to conduct 10 million tests across the country by June 2021. Beyond inculcating safety measures, the campaign also aims to boost public morale so that citizens can return to their lives with confidence.
Shell prides itself as a partner in nation-building in the 100+ years it has been in operation in the country. Through various existing social impact efforts such as Access to Energy (A2E), Road Safety, Movement Against Malaria, STEM and Livewire, Shell has long established itself as a key player and investor for the future—which can also mean combating threats on a nationwide scale such as COVID-19.
“Even before COVID, we’ve always maintained the highest standards of safety, but we knew that that had to evolve with the pandemic. That’s why we were able to remain open and keep serving our customers,” continued Del Valle. “At stores, you’ll see that we have more sanitized touchpoints, foot bath and machine temperature checks, and food safety guidelines.”
Alongside these essential changes that encourage consumer safety, Shell has also introduced larger, more innovative projects such as Proteksyon Para sa Bayani, where they partner with Sibbap communities in Batangas to sell face masks and face shields at Shell stores. They also have Ani Para sa Suki, a partnership with Mayani, where they sell fruits and vegetables to support the health and immunity of customers. These are just some initiatives that the company rolled out to address various community needs.
Aside from Shell Philippines, Ingat Angat continues to extend its network of partners which now include Jollibee, Angkas, Smart, Coca-Cola, Ayala Malls, Unilever, Oishi, and more.
Del Valle said of this collaboration, “Shell and the rest of the private sector can set aside competition and band together towards one common goal—and that is to foster an environment where Filipinos need not live in fear of the virus. Ingat Angat makes it clear that there is a community in the private sector prepared to support so that the Philippines can move forward as one.”
