International Motoring news - Free car check-up as Caltex-Pugad Mobile Mechanics mark year 2

In celebration of its second year of providing quality and affordable automotive services, the Mobile Mechanic program, an on-call car repair service staffed by former youth migrants, is offering a free car check-up as a way of thanking loyal patrons. The check-up includes tests on brakes, tires, headlights and battery fluid levels, among others. As an added incentive, each customer also gets a 10% discount on car wash for every preventive maintenance service.
Mobile Mechanic is a skills training and livelihood project of Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex fuels and lubricants, and the Don Bosco Pugad Foundation in Makati which is a home for disadvantaged migrant youths from Palawan, Mindoro, Iloilo, Romblon, among others. The mobile mechanics are selected Pugad youths ages 19 to 24, who have completed a 15- month training program in four technological courses under the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) as well as on-the-job and professional training from car companies like Isuzu, Toyota, Ford and Honda. Since its inception, the program has serviced over 1,450 customers in Makati and other parts of Metro Manila. Pugad reports that at least 40% of these clients are repeat customers. Income generated supports the daily expenses of nearly 100 boys rescued from a life of vagrancy, child labor, abuse and poverty, 90% of whom are taking vocational-technical courses at DBTI. The graduates help sustain the program through one-on-one training for their younger colleagues.
Aside from donating the van, uniforms, tools and a year’s supply of Caltex lubricant products to jumpstart the enterprise, Chevron also conducted safety seminars and product knowledge training to highlight the importance of the right lubricants in regular auto maintenance like oil change.
Eight of the 12 graduates of the Mobile Mechanic program have full-time jobs in car companies or auto repair shops across the country.
“The boys’ hardworking spirit and superb service are what made me a regular customer for almost a year now. In fact, my friends have also become some of their loyal customers. ” said Rey Villanueva, a Makati resident.
“From living broken lives, I’ve seen how the boys honed and loved their jobs as mechanics. Equipped with proper training, they are now swiftly finding jobs in car companies they just once dreamt about. We deeply appreciate that Chevron shares our vision to transform them to become productive members of our society,” said Don Bosco Pugad Center, Executive Director, Fr. David Buenaventura.