Petron’s products are crucial in fueling commerce and communities, making the Company an integral part of the country’s growth and development. At the heart of Petron’s business is the Petron Bataan Refinery, which has been operational for over 50 years.
To ensure sustained growth and long-term viability amidst the rapidly changing business environment, Petron has undertaken the Refinery Masterplan Phase 2 (RMP-2). This US$2-billion upgrade is the single biggest business investment in the country and puts PBR on par with the region’s most advanced refineries. The RMP-2 project includes the installation of new units and the upgrading of existing ones, leading to higher refining capacity, improved fuel quality, and enhanced operational efficiency. As a result, Petron can continue to meet the increasing demand for fuel in the Philippines and remain a key player in the country’s economic progress.
The Refinery also provides employment opportunities to thousands of Filipinos, particularly engineers. As Petron expands in the local oil industry, there is a growing demand for more engineers. Yet despite over 550 vacancies for engineers at PBR’s peak, there have not been enough Filipino engineers to meet the requirements. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) estimates that the country needs around 800,000 to 1 million skilled workers in construction, architecture, and engineering to address a labor shortage amidst the country’s construction boom. The Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) anticipated this shortage as early as 2013, even before the Duterte government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, which aimed to accelerate infrastructure spending and industry development. DOLE has identified engineer and construction worker occupations as in-demand and hard-to-fill until 2022 or beyond. According to PhilJobNet data from January to April 2019, there were only 2,003 nationwide vacancies for engineers and construction workers.
In contrast, about three million Filipinos work in the Middle East alone, with thousands of them being engineers and many working in the oil industry. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, in a World Bank Report, highlighted the negative impact of the growing exodus of Filipino scientists and engineers (from 10,000 in 1998 to about 25,000 in 2009) on the country’s inclusive growth. Dr. Angel L. Lazaro III of the National Academy of Science and Technology lamented that “our professionals are trained at great expense in the Philippines, only for other countries to benefit from them.” It is worth noting that Filipino engineers and technologists occupy responsible positions in almost every country worldwide. The lack of engineers in the Philippines hinders the country’s development and prevents it from benefiting fully from its investments in education and training.
Thus, it made good business sense for Petron to cultivate its own engineers while still in school and open the gates of PBR to scholars for practical learning about the downstream oil industry. This program aligns well with Petron’s sustainability and nation-building agenda and is one way for the company to give back to the country by creating career opportunities that encourage engineers to stay and contribute to the local industry instead of seeking better prospects abroad after graduation.
The Petron Engineering Scholarship Program. In 2007, the Petron Engineering Scholarship Program was established by PBR in collaboration with Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), the top engineering school in Bataan. It aimed to give deserving students the chance to complete their engineering studies and groom promising engineering students for employment by the Refinery, in the process developing a pool of young, world-class engineers.
The expansion of the Refinery in 2011 with the RMP-2 project created a huge need – and opportunity — for hundreds of talented and passionate Filipino engineers to be part of the company. Petron launched the Petron Scholarship Grant and Special Recruitment Program (PSG-SRP) and turned to third to fifth-year engineering students from top engineering schools all across the country.
Petron provides full support to its engineering scholars throughout their scholarship, including financial assistance for tuition fees, monthly living allowances, and annual academic expenses. The PSG SRP grant covers all of these costs per scholar, while the Petron-BPSU Engineering Scholarship Program includes Full Tuition fee coverage, an allowance per semester, and Board Exam Assistance for each graduate. In addition to financial support, scholars can gain practical experience through on-the-job training at PBR, which familiarizes them with the company’s culture and operations. This experience also deepens their understanding of the oil industry, particularly the downstream petroleum business, as they receive mentorship from Petron’s seasoned engineers.
While the program is primarily a corporate social responsibility initiative, with at least 70% of slots reserved for financially disadvantaged but academically talented students, it also serves Petron’s business needs by ensuring a pipeline of highly qualified engineers to fulfill the company’s staffing requirements.
Making an impact. The Petron Engineering Scholarship Program initially supported nine (9) students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering. In 2022, the program achieved several milestones as 21 scholars graduated and passed their licensure exams in Mechanical, Chemical, and Electrical Engineering. Thirteen graduates from Adamson University, Bataan Peninsula State University, Cebu Institute of Technology University, Central Philippine University-Iloilo, and University of San Carlos-Cebu were hired to work at the Refinery and Petron Limay Terminal in the same year.
Since the program’s start, 301 engineering students have become Petron scholars, with 293 graduating and 197 passing their licensure exams. Over 70% of these graduates, or 206 individuals, have been employed by Petron, with 84 graduates currently working for the company.
The benefits of the Petron Engineering Scholarship were affirmed by some of its scholars.
Mark Vincent Espinosa, a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Sto. Tomas, was among the first batch of Petron Engineering scholars. Since then, he has been a valuable member of the Company, where he currently serves as a Process Control Specialist at the Refinery. According to him, the Petron Engineering Scholarship program has been instrumental in supporting his family, and he has felt constant support from Petron throughout his personal and career growth journey – from being a college student, undergoing on-the-job training, taking the Board exams, to working as an employee.
For Espinosa, it is fulfilling to give back to the Company and the community. He is an active volunteer in the programs of Petron Foundation, and his work not only sustains the operations of Petron but also helps the communities it serves.
John Phillip Garcia, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Mapua University, considers his scholarship with Petron as a blessing. He values the support and opportunities provided by the company, as well as the relationships he formed with his fellow scholars from different universities. As a scholar, he had the privilege of visiting Petron’s sites, which provided him with valuable insights into the practical application of the concepts he learned in university. He recognizes Petron as a leading oil company in the Philippines and is grateful for the opportunity to learn from and be associated with such a prestigious organization.
Larraine Doon-Daep, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, expresses her gratitude towards Petron for providing her with various opportunities through her scholarship. Despite being in a considerably male-dominated industry, Larraine is determined to showcase her capabilities as an excellent engineer. She has already experienced working as a “board woman” in the operations at the Refinery. Moreover, as a relatively young employee, Larraine has learned to adapt and work efficiently with her senior colleagues.
Despite facing challenges during their college years, these scholars have demonstrated a strong commitment and perseverance in pursuing their studies. As a result, they have become well-established and competent engineers, and are now valuable assets to the Company.