Saturday, March 29, 2008 Shell gives drivers a break
PILIPINAS Shell has embarked on a project, which will give the kings of the road the opportunity to relax and share a friendly game of basketball.
Dubbed Palarong Basketbol ng Shell (PBS), the four-month conference started last March 8 at the St. Vincent Gym. Games will run every Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Baguio-based 16 taxi and jeepney drivers association cum teams.
At stake in the single round robin conference are trophies for the champion, first runner up and second runner up teams, plus the opportunity to compete against other champion teams from other parts of the country.
Shell is responsible for outfitting the 16 teams as well as for the venue and talent fees for the game officials. The leaders of each team are responsible for setting the direction of the games.
Rolando Villanueva, Shell representative, said the pilot conference in Baguio maybe replicated in other regions of the country as it is proving to be a very popular vehicle to promote the product lines of the company to the drivers and operators.
"We are still working out for cash prizes for the winning teams," Villanueva said but added the conference is already successful in bringing the driver associations together in the friendly games. "They are already getting to know each other better and the company which hopefully will translate to better relations among them in the future."
"Before this our relations with the drivers was pure business," Villanueva said. He added that, "the conference is an opportunity to show Shell really cares for its customers."
The relationship could even be expanded, he said, to include a possible livelihood projects to supplement the earnings of the drivers.
"The champion teams from the other regions may meet for the national championship at the Araneta Coliseum later in the year, Villanueva added. (SB)
