Fighting Tuberculosis Towards a Healthier Road

Chevron Brings Anti-TB Drive to Manila

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of popular Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, formally launched its “Labanan ang TB Para Tsuper Healthy” anti-Tuberculosis (TB) awareness campaign in Manila today. The launch was highlighted by the unveiling of the Caltex Anti-TB bus which will make the round of the city’s public transport terminals to conduct on-board seminars about TB.

The awareness drive aims to provide public transport drivers, their families, and commuters with accurate information about TB symptoms, prevention, and cure. To strengthen their campaign in Manila, CPI will also hold community-based seminars in Pandacan which is home to Chevron’s terminal.

TB infects 75 Filipinos every day and is the sixth leading killer disease in the country. Worldwide, the Philippines is the 22nd country with the highest number of TB cases while it is second only to China in Asia.

Chevron committed US$5 million to fight TB in the Philippines as the first corporate champion of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Since then, almost 8,175 service deliverers have been educated in providing quality TB services. More than 6,144 health care providers were trained in community care and treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB were provided to about 1,778 patients who were no longer responding to first line anti-TB drugs. MDR treatment costs more than P200,000 for at least 18 months of treatment.

In addition to this financial grant, Chevron Philippines also committed to leverage its network of facilities such as the Caltex service stations as centers for TB information dissemination as part of the awareness campaign. Aside from the TB Helpline number, Chevron will also be providing flyers, posters and hold audio-visual presentations for wide dissemination.

Through its Anti-TB Helpline 381-1010, Caltex established a link between the public and free TB treatment facilities such as Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) centers. People who call the helpline are directed to the DOTS center nearest their residence for assistance.

Dean Gilbert, Area Business Manager Chevron Global Lubricants, said “The Caltex TB awareness campaign is founded on the belief that the best assistance we can give is by empowering people with the right information. By knowing the difference between what is fact and fiction, the fight against TB is already half won. By encouraging our valued customers such as the public transport drivers to know the symptoms of the disease and encourage everyone they know to get an early check up, we believe we can stop the spread of Tuberculosis.”

The campaign had its pilot site in Makati were 1,800 puj drivers and their families where engaged. Chevron is replicating efforts in Manila, this time targeting 2,500 public transport drivers, in partnership with the Manila City Health office and the Federation of Jeepney Drivers and Operators Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP). In Pandacan, where CPI’s terminal is located, CPI will have community engagements with barangays and public schools.

With the help of various stakeholders and supporters of this project, Chevron hopes that this advocacy will help contribute in creating a TB-free Philippines.