Shell to help workers find jobs after refinery shutdown

On Thursday, Shell disclosed it would permanently halt the operation of its oil refinery in Tabangao as it is no longer economically viable for the company to run the refinery due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on global, regional, and local businesses, as well as uncertainties in the supply and demand of crude oil in the region. (File Photo: Shell/Facebook)

– An executive of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said the firm has pledged to help workers who would be affected by the shutdown of its oil refinery in Batangas.

Serge Bernal Jr., Pilipinas Shell vice president for external and government relations, said the firm would do its best to give the affected workers new jobs within the company.

“Since the facility will be transformed into an import terminal, jobs will be created. We also have different businesses in the Philippines. This includes our Shell Business Outsourcing and our operation here is expanding. We can also absorb them in other businesses of Shell in the country,” Bernal said in Filipino in a radio interview on Friday.

On Thursday, Shell disclosed it would permanently halt the operation of its oil refinery in Tabangao as it is no longer economically viable for the company to run the refinery due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on global, regional, and local businesses, as well as uncertainties in the supply and demand of crude oil in the region.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said he respects the decision of the management but expressed hope that displaced workers could still find jobs.

Bernal said the company does not have the exact figures yet on how many workers would be affected by the shutdown.

Moreover, he said all the production of the Batangas oil refinery has been released to the market.

“So since May 24, we (have been) importing the demands of our market,” Bernal added.