Almost P200-M in toll fees waived for medical frontliners in SMC-operated expressways

Tollway

San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-operated expressways have waived as much as P190.7 million worth of toll fees to medical frontliners.

SMC, which manages the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)Skyway system (including the newly opened Skyway Stage 3); NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), said that a total of 10,402 medical frontliners—including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and other medical workers—are still benefiting from the “no toll fees” policy in support of medical frontliners during this time of pandemic.

 SMC president Ramon Ang said that the move expresses the company's gratitude to these brave, selfless individuals, and that their move to continue the free toll to them is their way to ease the everyday burden.

Skyway Stage 3

“One year on and the fight against COVID-19 continues. In fact, with this recent surge in cases, our medical frontliners are again facing a difficult challenge, and their lives are again at higher risk,” Ang was quoted as saying.

“We are so grateful to them, and proud that we have continued to help them and provide them this privilege of free toll fees for one whole year now. We hope that at least, it has lightened their burden, and that every day they go to work, they are reminded of how San Miguel and the whole country are grateful for their sacrifices,” he added.

The no-toll collection to SMC is just part of the efforts extended last year. Aside from that, they also donated PCR testing machines and testing kits, fully-automated RNA extraction machines, high-flow cannula respiratory machines, temporary quarantine facilities, life insurance for front liners, personal protective equipment, disinfecting alcohol, and free fuel for shuttle services.

Ramon Ang

 “Even while our medical frontliners have already started received the vaccines, the threat of COVID-19 persists. It really falls on our collective shoulders to reduce the strain on our medical frontliners and workers. We can all do our part and contribute. For us, it’s through this program, and through our other initiatives that aim to keep our employees safe.  Each of us can help out, just by following health protocols,” Ang noted.

While it is giving back to society, SMC did not put its own employees on the sidelines. Among the measures that they have placed are the strict implementation of health protocols and limited work place hours, regular testing of employees through its own RT-PCR laboratory, and allotting a P1-billion budget to cover the vaccines for its 70,000-strong workforce.  

smc tplex

“While we wait for the life-saving vaccines to arrive for the rest of the population in the coming months, we need to be very vigilant in protecting ourselves and preventing an even bigger surge in cases,” Ang appealed.

“These safety measures which we all know by now—wearing of masks, face shields, washing of hands, keeping social distance—are key to limiting the spread of the disease and keeping all of us healthy and safe,” he added.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, San Miguel Corporation

Also read:

Close, open: Public perplexed over announcement of Skyway Stage 3 'closure'

SMC: Closure needed to speed up completion of Skyway 3 ramps

SMC banks on SLEX TR5, Pasig River Expressway as next game-changers

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Honda starts next-gen Prelude sales
    Honda starts next-gen Prelude sales
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • BMW breaches 3-M NEV sales milestone
    BMW breaches 3-M NEV sales milestone
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Toyota RAV4 heading to Australia, will PH have it too?
    Toyota RAV4 heading to Australia, will PH have it too?
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • VinFast flexes Lac Hong 900 LX armored car, custom VF9
    VinFast flexes Lac Hong 900 LX armored car, custom VF9
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Toyota Australia reveals 1st GR Supra Supercar ahead of 2026 season
    Toyota Australia reveals 1st GR Supra Supercar ahead of 2026 season
    Paulo Papa . Sep 03, 2025
  • Honda BR-V, Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, Toyota Avanza: which is the best vacay-ready MPV?
    Honda BR-V, Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, Toyota Avanza: which is the best vacay-ready MPV?
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Suzuki S-Presso, Toyota Wigo, Honda Brio: which small car is best for the big city?
    Suzuki S-Presso, Toyota Wigo, Honda Brio: which small car is best for the big city?
    Paulo Papa . Sep 03, 2025
  • Check out the Hongqi H9’s closest competitors
    Check out the Hongqi H9’s closest competitors
    Cesar Miguel . Aug 29, 2025
  • Here are the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P’s strengths, weaknesses
    Here are the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P’s strengths, weaknesses
    Cesar Miguel . Aug 28, 2025
  • Check out the Toyota Land Cruiser’s key competitors
    Check out the Toyota Land Cruiser’s key competitors
    Cesar Miguel . Aug 26, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    Paulo Papa . Aug 27, 2025
  • GWM Cannon: range day
    GWM Cannon: range day
    Paulo Papa . Jul 29, 2025
  • First drive: BYD Sealion 5 DM-i
    First drive: BYD Sealion 5 DM-i
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 21, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025