Anyone handling a four-wheeled vehicle cannot afford to go places without a travel buddy. Whether it’s a short journey or a long distance trip, a travel buddy will always help you keep your concentration on what’s ahead, remind you of the rules of the road, and help you keep your vehicle travel-worthy.

It is in this spirit that Petron proudly unveils this year’s Petron Lakbay Alalay program. Well-loved as the longest running motorist assistance program in the country, Petron Lakbay Alalay, now on its 27th year, doesn’t just involve itself with helping stranded motorists during long calendar breaks (such as the Holy Week stretch and All Souls’ Day/All Saints Day). Petron Lakbay Alalay now is a series of activities spread year-round to help the motorists and communities.

The first part is meant for motorists’ safety. Billeted as Lakbay Alalay Para Sa Kaligtasan, Petron tapped 162 of its nationwide stations to offer free safety checks to motorists’ vehicles —even weeks before the start of the Holy Week—to ensure the safety of travelers. These safety checks are a gentle reminder that small details, such as topping up your vehicle’s fluids before long distance runs, should never go unnoticed. However, should someone on the road need vehicular assistance, participating Petron stations tote emergency services (including towing) for any and all four-wheelers. Plus, with partner companies, these pit stops also offer free items like snacks and giveaways to customers. As a consistent attention-getter to motorists, Petron will display safety road safety pointers through Petron Lakbay Alalay messages on banners and streamers in all highways. For those staying at home, Petron will go to various communities, performing liquid petroleum gas (LPG) leak checks and conducting LPG home safety seminars.

The second part is known as Lakbay Alalay Para Sa Kalusugan, meant to ensure that the person behind the wheel and those riding with the driver also get assistance. Participating Petron stations for the Holy Week and Undas (the All Souls’ Day/All Saints Day combo) will offer medical emergency services. And to further promote this second phase, a Petron Lakbay Alalay “Run For Safety” marathon will be done in Manila and Cebu to highly encourage healthy living.

The third part is called Lakbay Alalay Para Sa Kalikasan, meant to remind everybody that a travel buddy cares about his or her surroundings. In select areas, Petron will have first an environmental plight awareness sticker campaign, followed by tree planting programs as a gesture of care for mother nature. Plus, a free trash bin promo will be implemented at participating stations to increase the drive for no littering.

Another integral element is the information drive in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This joint endeavor is meant to promote healthy lifestyle, how to rid your area of dengue threats, and increase awareness for DOST’s “Project Noah”. Petron supports the ‘Stop Dengue Now’ campaign of DOST promoting its Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal trap or O-L Trap which is a simple yet effective anti-dengue device. You can visit the DOST booth at Petron NLEX and SLEX to know more about this or access through mobile app for Android smartphones. Petron is also a partner of DOST in ‘Project Noah - Alamin Ang Kalagayan ng Panahon’, a real-time weather forecast system. The information campaign will also impart to motorists travel reminders on inclement weather conditions, calamity readiness and emergency contact details.  Visit www.noah.dost.gov.ph for more details of Project Noah.

In all these activations, Petron employees serve as volunteers offering their time and energy in the service of others, and with a pledge to practice and promote safe and responsible motoring.

Petron also acknowledges and is thankful to the following partners and supporters for making the Petron Lakbay Alalay a success: Goodyear, Philippine National Red Cross, Honda Cars Makati, Chevrolet, Kia, San Mig Coffee, Purefoods Hotdog, Magnolia Pure Water, Wi-Tribe, Bank of Commerce, Timezone, Summit Media, Grolier and Primer Group.

2013 also marks Petron’s 80th year. In celebration, Petron is giving thanks to customers through offering various promotions and rewards. To kick off the dubbed ‘Road to 80 Rewards’ program, Petron offers the “Win Fuel for a Year” e-raffle promo for the Petron Value Card (PVC) holders. At participating stations, customers also get to enjoy the ‘Libreng kape at balita’ promo, free magazine and free ice cream. Customers should watch out for more of these freebies, promotions and activities at Petron stations in the coming months as rewards to its growing clientele.

This extensive approach of Petron Lakbay Alalay program makes sure that motorists have the best travel buddy for any trip year-round. After all, Petron is your ‘Lakbay Alalay’.