Total allots P300M for expansion

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of multinational oil player Total SA of France plans to expand its network to around 200 branches this year, banking on the continuous economic growth in the country.

“We set a nice target, we want to get to at least 200 stations this year. And we are quite confident about our plans and we will hit this target,” said Total Philippines Corp. president and managing director Ernst Wanten.

“We will be spending more than P300 million for the retail network expansion program,” Wanten said.

To date, the company, which will be celebrating its 15th year in the Philippines, has 176 service stations.

“We are accelerating our growth, because we have to get bigger and we have to be more out there and visible to the public,” Wanten said, adding that 25 to 26 new stations will be built this year.

The plan is a reflection of Total Philippines’ confidence in the economy, Wanten said.

The growth pace is faster than the previous years’ tally of 18 new branches annually.

Total Philippines, whose main branch network is in the Luzon mainland, said the expansion program will increase the company’s network outside Luzon.