When I learned from the news that the price of fuel may reach a staggering price of Php60.00 per liter next month, I said to my self; “That’s it! I’m going to get bicycle from now on.” If this ever comes true, which I hope not, things would definitely be harder for all of us. Especially those who have their own cars or drive public transportation vehicles, for them, this could be the end of it.

However, there is still hope as SEAOIL has come up with a scheme to help ease the burden of sky-rocketing fuel prices. It has has introduced an industry-first prepaid card that pegs a customer’s gasoline purchase at P53.50 per liter.

the Price Lock Prepaid Fuel Card can be used to buy 20 liters of gasoline (G5 X-treme and Unleaded) from any SEAOIL participating stations. The selling period is from June 10-16 22, 2008. Each card costs P1,070 and is valid for 10 weeks (June 10 up to August 16, 2008).

Since the price has been fixed, cardholders will have an easier time budgeting their fuel expenses as they will be insulated from further spikes in gasoline costs during the promo period.

In the less likely event of a price rollback also during the period, i.e. the price goes down to less than P53.50 a liter, SEAOIL will refund unused (unscratched) fuel prepaid cards.

The Price Lock Prepaid Fuel Card will be made available at the following participating SEAOIL stations: EDSA, Imelda Avenue, Maybunga, P.Tuazon, Pasig Boulevard, Commonwealth, Malabon, Merville, Paco, E. Rodriguez, Paraluman, Mindanao Avenue, Panaderos, Tandang Sora and Buendia.

SEAOIL will also be selling the prepaid card in the following offsite points: Metrowalk and Tiendesitas in Pasig City, Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan and Shopwise in Cubao, Quezon City.

The card is valid for a single transaction only, which means customers should use up its entire 20-liter value since any unconsumed amount, such as a 19-liter purchase, will forfeit the remaining card value.

Only SEAOIL station attendants are authorized to scratch the silver coating of the prepaid card upon purchase and claim the same card after the customer fills up.

The cards will be available from July 5 to July 20, 2008 and are valid from July 5 to September 20, 2008. The prepaid card can be bought at P1,180 for 20 liters (P59.00 per liter).

This time all SEAOIL stations in Metro Manila and Rizal are included in the promo. Customers may buy and redeem cards at these stations:

1. A. Bonifacio
2. Binangonan
3. Buendia
4. Cainta
5. Commonwealth
6. Dagat-dagatan
7. Dimasalang
8. EDSA
9. E. Rodriguez
10. Gulod
11. Imalda Avenue
12. Karuhatan
13. Malabon
14. Marikina
15. Maybunga
16. Merville
17. Mindanao Ave.
18. Montalban
19. North Bay
20. P. Tuazon
21. Paco
22. Palatiw
23. Panaderos
24. Paraluman
25. Pasig
26. Payatas
27. Pritil
28. Retiro
29. San Juan
30. San Mateo
31. St. Dominic
32. Sucat
33. Tandang Sora
34. Taguig
Stations to open in July:
35. Arkong Bato
36. Sta. Cruz
37. Legarda
38. Del Monte

The resumption of the off-site selling in Greenhills Theatre Mall (in front of Starbucks), Greenhills V-Mall (in front of SM Appliance Center), Shopwise (2nd level parking) and Metrowalk (Activity Center near Starbucks). The schedules are:
Theatre Mall, V-Mall, Shopwise – July 4-6 and July 11-13 (Fridays-Sundays), 11am-6pm
Metrowalk – July 4-5 and July 11-12 (Fridays and Saturdays), 5pm-12mn

A clever way to help mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices and as mentioned, it’s an industry first. I have a feeling that this will catch on pretty well as Filipinos are known to be “practical” people, finding constant ways to get more value for their money.

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