PSE Circular for Brokers No. 2095-98

September 8, 1998 PSE CIRCULAR FOR BROKERS NO. 2095-98 Press Release For September 7, 1998 PETRON CELEBRATES 65TH ANNIVERSARY IN CEBU THE WAVE OF CHANGE SWEEPS OVER THE SOUTH Petron Corporation marked its 65th anniversary with two major milestones in Cebu City: the opening of its 65th refurbished service station and the awarding of ISO 9002 certification for five of its bulk plants in the Visayas and Mindanao. "The wave of change is sweeping the South, " exclaimed Petron Chairman Jose A. Syjuco, Jr. Syjuco led top local government officials, dealers, customers, company executives and employees last Friday, September 4, in two separate but equally distinct celebrations. llcd Service Station Inauguration The company chairman presided over the formal inauguration of The Southgate Petron Service Station located along Tres de Abril Street in Cebu City. "We are not only putting up new and improved stations and refurbishing old ones ," said the Petron Chair. "We are signaling a fresh beginning for Petron as we enter the new millennium ." The Southgate is the newest service station to be opened under company's corporate re-imaging program. Sporting the new design and symbol, the 1,989-sq.m. station features five pump islands with enough capacity to service a greater number of vehicles at any given time, as well as modern lube and wash bays. It also contains a convenience store that features a host of food items, household necessities and car care products that emphasize Petron" commitment to total customer satisfaction. Joining Chairman Syjuco in the ceremonies were Southgate dealer and owner Gerard Tan and the management team of Petron Marketing Division headed by Vice President Celso L. Legarda. "It is no coincidence that we inaugurate this, our 65th re-imaged station here in Cebu City as we are about to celebrate our 65th anniversary on Monday, September 7," Syjuco said. "This activity not only affiliates Petron with Cebu City's rich history but it also reflects the company's well-deserved reputation for economic dynamism . " Syjuco also extolled Petron's friends and partners, whose unwavering support for the company has lasted over six decades of existence. " We are certain that with your continuing support and cooperation, we will, together, be able to ride out the adversities that come our way and turn these into opportunities for growth . " ISO 9002 Certification In the afternoon, Petron's chief executive formally received the ISO 9002 Certificates of Approval for five of the company's bulk plants. These bulk plants are in Ormoc, Isabel and Tacloban in the Visayas as well as in Tagoloan and Iligan in Mindanao. Mr. Poulliot, CEO for Philippine Operations of the Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) awarded the Certificates. llcd "I certainly hope we will continue BVQI's certification so that soon, the entire Petron organization will have the distinction of being the first oil refining and marketing company to get this prestigious award," said a beaming Syjuco. Petron now boasts of a total of 19 certified locations nationwide and has several more facilities awaiting certification. " At this point, I must reiterate that getting the award is just the beginning of our lifelong journey towards operational excellence . We are obliged, in fact, by this ISO certification to insure that we deserve it at all times, " he promised. The chairman also congratulated the haulers, suppliers and other people for partnering with Petron in its quest for excellence and quality. "You make us proud by doing your job with such passion and dedication ." As Petron marks its 65th anniversary, the company is gearing up for a more dynamic, productive and responsive future ahead. " We are rededicating ourselves to the creative and responsible management of change, " remarked Syjuco. "By doing so, we will assure our various publics, especially our customers and business partners, of the kind of excellent and professional service they can and must always expect from Petron ."