Blu Energy aims to maintain its edge

MANILA -- The Associated Labor UnionsTrade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) expressed optimism that with the inevitable ascension to the Senate presidency of Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, his “pet bill” seeking to make mandatory the 14th month pay bonus for rank-andfile workers in the private sector, will be passed into law.

ALU-TUCP, touted as the country’s largest labor organization, was referring to Senate Bill No. 2, otherwise known as “An Act Requiring Employers in the Private Sector to Pay 14th Month Pay”, which was filed July 2016 with Sotto as its principal author.

“Now that he is Senate president, we hope that his pet bill, the 14th month pay bill, will be approved without delay. Rank-and-file employees nowadays are in desperate need of additional money at their disposal to survive the inflation caused by the enforcement of the Train (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law,” ALUTUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said in a statement Monday, May 21.

Tanjusay said Sotto has “a heart for Filipino rank-and-file workers” because aside from his bill seeking to make the 14th month pay compulsory, he also authored the Senate bill seeking to put a stop to the ENDO (end of contract) short-term employment system, which has been widely condemned by the labor sector.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A newly entrant in the fuel distribution industry has maintained its edge in the face of the dominance of giant players in the country by focusing on the local market in some parts of Mindanao.

Engineer Ronald Reyes, general manager of Blu Energy, said being a local company has its advantages as they are more familiar with their clientele and be mindful of their needs.

“We see to it that our facilities are in good condition. All our pumps are working. We ensure that there’s no run-out in our stations, and our restrooms are clean and functional,” Reyes said in an interview recently.

Aside from maintaining the functionality of the facilities in their stations across Mindanao, he said Blu Energy also put premium on their employees.

“They really know how to entertain and serve our clients,” Reyes said.

This brand of service is what endeared Blue Energy to its growing number of clients, he added.

Reyes said the company has also launched various raffles giving away essential prizes such as a house, car, motorcycles, and other items.

To date, Blu Energy has 20 fuel refilling stations in the cities of Iligan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, as well as in Bukidnon and the Caraga region.

The firm’s plan is to establish more branches in the western part of Mindanao, particularly in the Zamboanga peninsula, and eventually in Cebu and other areas in the Visayas region.

“We won’t stop until we have already served those who need our service. We also want to stay longer in the industry,” he said.

Reyes said they will be putting up outlets outside the major urban centers, especially in small towns.

According to its website, Blu Energy was named after the color blue which expresses trustworthiness, dependability and commitment. The integrity of the company, products and people are the frontier of this business. The company strives to provide familylike warmth, secured with quick service.