The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) will soon release the CY2010 Definitive (Regular) Stamps featuring the Philippine Marine Biodiversity. This move is in support of the need to popularize the conservation of marine biodiversity and to focus more on the beauty of marine life forms that abound in the country.

The Stamps Committee approved the issuance of regular stamps featuring Philippine Marine Biodiversity, as a sort of respite from the Birds Series which has been the theme for the Definitive stamps for the last three years.

Initial denominations will be Php1, Php10 and Php26. The second set of stamps feature marine lives identified in another five kinds of denominations, such as Php2,Php5, Php7, Php8 and Php20.00.

It will be initially available at the Postage and Philatelic Department, Door 203, Main Lobby, Manila Post Office Building, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

The Philippines forms an ocean region that has long been recognized as the world’s center of marine biodiversity. With the Malay archipelago, Papua New Guinea and Australia, the country forms the ‘Coral Triangle,’ so-called because of the abundance of its coral reef life. Some 400-500 species in 90 genera of reef-forming corals are believed to exist in this region. Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, a 900,000-square-kilometer marine eco-region that lies at the apex of the Coral Triangle (70% in the Philippines, 20% Indonesia, 10% Malaysia), is home to some 2,500 species of fish.

The Philippine center of diversity was found to have the highest species richness for all distributions combined as well as when shore fish distributions were treated separately.

The said program will soon be extended to other Philpost offices such as the Foreign Surface Mail Distribution Center (FSMDC) in Port Area, Manila, Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City, Regional Offices and all post offices nationwide.

The SWMP, with the motto “To Keep Philpost Clean and Green”, will strictly observe segregation of waste resources and proper wastes collection by the designated “ECO Boys”. The wastes shall be segregated as biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable. To ensure proper disposal, the ECO boys will adhere to the policy of “No Segregation, No Collection” of these wastes.

Moreover, an ECO hour shall be held every Friday afternoon for Philpost employees to help maintain a clean and green atmosphere in the Philpost community.

The Philippine Postal Corporation is coming up with the 90 Years of Philippine Rotary stamps which will be issued on February 23, 2010. It is classified as a “Commemorative” kind of issue with a denomination of P 7.00 and quantity of 100,000 pieces. Also to be issued are souvenir sheets with a denomination of P 28.00 and 7,000 pieces.

The Rotary Club of the Philippines is local chapter of the Rotary International in the Philippine community. As stated in Rotary Club Manila/ History of Rotary, the Philippines has a total of 537 Rotary clubs and 17,011 Rotarians recently.

The first rotary club in the Philippines and the first in Asia is Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) which has been under the direct supervision of the International Association of Rotary Clubs (now Rotary International).

The Rotary Club of the Philippines has been a source of support to other community service projects. It also offers scholarships to deserving students. The club also holds medical and surgical services in the indigenous communities to serve the needy.

The technical description of the 90 Years of Philippine Rotary stamps are as follows:

Kind of Issue: Commemorative

Denomination and Quantity: Php7.00 / 70,000 pieces

Souvenir Sheet: Php 28.00/7,000 pieces

Date of Issue: February 23, 2010

Last date of Sale: February 22, 2011 (or as stocks allow)

Sheet Composition: 40 (4 x 10)

Size: 30 mm x 40 mm.

Perforation: 14

Printing: Litho offset

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: Amstar Company, Inc.

Designers: Jesus Alfredo Delos Santos

Layout Artist: Jiomer Dacaymat/ Evangeline Flores

Design Coordinator: Chacha Camacho

Design/s: The stamp designs speak about the many projects
undertaken by the Rotarians worldwide such as the End
Polio Now Project, housing project for the needy,
ending hostilities and exploration of peace,
and the last stamp design showing the map of the
Philippines and the globe which signifies the pioneering
spirit of the Filipinos to start worth-while projects through
the Rotary Club of Manila.

MALACAÑANG DOCTOR RARE STAMPS COLLECTION. Dr. Hermogenes C. Lorenzo (5th, left), Malacañang Clinic’s long time director exhibits his rare collection of famous stamps all over the world at the lobby of the Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio. Witnessing the exhibit are ( from left) Mr. Robert Tan, Director, Philippine Philatelic Federation (PPF), Mr. Robert Jacinto, President, PPF, Postmaster General Hector R. R. Villanueva, Elizabeth C. Tungol, Assistant Postmaster General for Finance, Dr. Lorenzo, Elenita D.L. San Diego, Acting Manager, Postage and Philatelic Department, Elsie Loyola, and Pio Rodriguez, Director, PPF.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) unveiled last Feb. 15 a one-man philatelic exhibit to run for one month at its lobby in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

Entitled “Discovery and Scientific Inventions,” the exhibit showcased the personal stamp and rare-letter collections of Dr. Hermogenes Lorenzo, a long time director of the Malacanang Clinic.

Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva, Lorenzo, Philatelic Services director Lenny San Diego and Philippine Philatelic Foundation (PPF) officials witnessed the ceremonial ribbon cutting and opening of the exhibit.

Such kind of exhibit is the first to be hosted by Philpost, given the collector’s rare collections that Lorenzo accumulated from his frequent travels to different countries.

On display are stamps depicting that of Alexander Fleming, the inventor of penicillin; Dr. Christian Barnard, the doctor who conducted the very first successful heart transplant in 1967; Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who proved that the world is round; and Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of diesel.

Almost 90 percent of the famous persons seen at the one-man exhibit were born from 1700 to 1950s, the years when many discoveries transpired. Except for Barnard’s achievements, all other inventions and discoveries seen at the exhibit were done before 1920.

“We’re so grateful that there is somebody like Dr. Lorenzo who is willing to let the public see his rare collection. His stamps may be small in sizes but their value is really immense,” Villanueva said.

He added that the exhibitor is among the top members of PPF because of his huge volume of rare stamp collections.

The postmaster general said Philpost used to host exhibits but those were efforts of group of philatelists who wanted their collections to be seen by the public. The sheer volume of Lorenzo’s collections enables him to conduct a one-man show, according to San Diego.

Romance is in the mail.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) will play cupid as well as issue stamps to celebrate Valentine’s Day this February 14.

Postal patrons can avail themselves of the flowers and chocolates that the mailman will deliver for them or to their loved ones.

Also, with the special limited edition of Valentine’s Day stamps to be issued by PhilPost, Filipinos can definitely relate with their love ones through love letters.

NCR Regional Manager Bernardito Gonzales said that PhilPost will deliver chocolate and flowers to make this Valentine’s Day celebration a memorable one.

“Despite our modern technology, such as the use of (text messaging), it is still different when love is expressed through the sending of flowers, chocolates and Valentine’s cards,” he said.

Gift items are sold at the lobby of the Main Post Office Building in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila from February 13 to 14. It will personally be delivered by the Postman provided that it is within the prescribed cut-off time for delivery.

Come what may, romance will never be lost to Pinoys. As long as there are people falling in love, love letters will always be written, cherished and enjoyed forever by the grateful recipient.

These cards and letters sent through mail, are most of the time kept through the years for sentimental reasons.

In a bid to enable millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) around the world to cast their votes in this year’s presidential elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the opening of the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) Mailing Center located at the annex building of the historic Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio.

The Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV) chaired by Commissioner Armando C. Velasco has tapped the services of PhilPost to ensure that the ballots of the registered overseas absentee voters are properly delivered and received on time.

Under the agreement, the ballots of overseas absentee voters shall be sent by the COAV directly to absentee voters with the preparations for the election mailing paraphernalia to be undertaken in Manila.

The COMELEC and DFA shall tap the technical capability, logistical and administrative know-how of Philpost.

Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva said the country, through Philpost, is linked to the postal systems of 190 other member-countries of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) under the United Nations.

As an independent constitutional body, the COMELEC, with the assistance of the DFA, has the mandate to supervise the implementation of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act “for the purpose of ensuring honest, orderly, peaceful and free elections among OFW’s”.

HONEST POSTMAN - Postmaster General and CEO Hector R.R. Villanueva (3rd from right) leads in commending Victor Trinidad (2nd from right), an honest postman who returned a check worth P700,000 to its owner. Villanueva described Trinidad as an honest man worthy of emulation by his co-workers.” At the simple awarding rights are (from left) Philpost operations director Reynaldo Malacapo Jr., Philpost-NCR director Bernardito Gonzales, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief cashier Domingo Platon and, PIA liaison officer Reynaldo Domingo who was carrying the check when it was lost.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) has lauded the mail carrier who returned a lost check worth P 700,000 to its owner, saying such an exemplary act is an indication that honest employees are not a rare species in the country’s postal service.

Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva said Victor Trinidad, a letter-carrier assigned at the Quezon City central post office, was delivering letters and parcels along the Quezon Memorial Circle when he noticed an envelope among papers strewn on the ground.

When he opened the envelope, he saw it contained a Landbank check payable to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The Postmaster immediately contacted the PIA and a representative of the agency went to the QCPO to retrieve the lost check.

“His honesty only proves that honest men still exist even today”. He could have kept the money and find way to encash it but he chose to be honest than to take personal interest in his P 700,000 find. Trinidad’s act is truly worth emulating,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva clarified that tales of returned money or check are a common occurrence in many post offices nationwide but postmen-finders, through the help of their superiors, return the valuables to their rightful owners.

“Trinidad’s story is not unusual. What was unusual was the amount involved and his great self-control to resist the glitter of money,” the postmaster general added. An evaluation process is now undergoing to promote Trinidad to the next higher rank and make him permanent as a reward for his exemplary honesty.

The postman, who is the breadwinner in his family, lives in Payatas, Quezon City.

Trinidad has been a mail carrier (postman) for the past 15 years. Based on his personal data, he is a widow with two kids.

DOJ, PHILPOST PARTNERSHIP. The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have renewed the Memorandum of Agreement for the delivery of mails and parcels of the DOJ for this year. The delivery contract, worth P5.5 million, was forged at the Philpost business conference center led by Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva (3rd from right) and Justice Secretary Agnes VST Devanadera. Also present during the occasion are (from left) Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy, Undersecretary Linda Hornilla, Dir. Rodolfo Felix, Joy Cacho, Philpost account officer; Assistant Secretary Arthel Carunungan and Philpost board of directors members’ Edgardo Diaz and Edgardo Espinosa. The agreement will generate additional revenue for the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) marked their 102nd year of postal partnership with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the renewal of contract for mailing transactions between the two agencies.

Postmaster General and CEO Hector R.R. Villanueva signed the agreement in behalf of Philpost while Justice Secretary Agnes VST. Devanadera signed for the DOJ. Villanueva has acknowledged the Department of Justice as a valuable partner spanning more than a century of postal service to the Justice Department.

He also stressed that PhilPost has come up with innovative projects to provide value added services to its clients to effectively deliver mails and parcels anywhere in the country and abroad.

“We are more than hopeful that we can position ourselves competitively in the market and attain our goals of continued viability”.

The Justice Department offers to pay PhilPost for its franking privileges except those provided for under the Commonwealth Act. No.265.

Under the MOA, the Office of the Secretary of Justice will pays PhilPost a total of P5.5 million annually for the delivery of international and domestic mails for the year 2010.

The mail posted by DOJ shall have on the upper right hand portion of the envelope that reads “Office of the Secretary of Justice per MOA between PPC and the office of the Secretary of Justice.”

All mailing transactions shall be accompanied by statement of mailing which shall come in three copies.

The Philippine Postal Corporation issues today, the limited edition Commemorative Cover celebrating the 77th Birth Anniversary of President Corazon C. Aquino. This is one of the series of special edition philatelic products for the late President, who was hailed as the Icon of Democracy.

Postmaster General and CEO Hector R.R. Villanueva, who is also the Chairperson of the Stamp Committee, had earlier approved the issuance of Cory Stamps last September 8, 2009 and the Second Edition Cory Stamps last September 18, 2009.

The Commemorative Cover for the 77th Birth Anniversary of PCCA is sold at Php22.00 only. Initially, it is available at the Central Office, Postage and Philatelic Department. The special sale is good while supply lasts. Collectors are encourage to avail of this special edition now.

PHILPOST, S.S.S. SIGN MOU ON UNIFIED MULTI-PURPOSE I.D. Postmaster General and CEO Hector R.R. Villanueva (Second from left) and Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Romulo L. Neri sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification System(UMID) at the PhilPost Conference Room, PhilPost Building, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila on January 19, 2010. Seated at left is PhilPost Chairman Franco L. Loyola while at right is Special Assistant of SSS President-CEO Antonio Antonio Echavarria Jr.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) and the Social Security System (SSS) for the integration of SSS Unified Multipurpose Identification System (UMID) to the benefits of the Postal ID.

Postmaster General Hector Villanueva and SSS president Romulo Neri signed the MOU in a simple ceremony at the Philpost business center recently.

Villanueva stressed that PhilPost has come up with innovative projects to provide value added services to its clients to effectively deliver mails and parcels anywhere in the country and abroad particularly the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We are more that hopeful that we can position ourselves competitively in the market and attain our goals of continued viability”, he said. The UMID card will enable SSS members to get payments for pensions, loans and benefits through PhilPost’s nationwide network of about 2,200 post offices.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paved the way for a unified Philpost-SSS ID similar to the discarded national ID originally planned for implementation in 1997 but was shelved due to technical difficulties and politics.

Philpost and SSS joint ID system is in line with Executive Orders 420 and 700, respectively, that mandate the streamlining and harmonization of the ID systems of government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations.

Under the MOU, Philpost shall enroll its postal ID systems with the SSS so that the benefits of the postal ID can be enjoyed by the holders of the SSS Umid system.

In return, SSS shall allow the enrolment of ID it gives to members free of charge to Philpost but any application of the individual SSS member for the benefit of postal ID shall be subject to application fee to be collected by SSS and remitted to Philpost.

The SSS is committed to offer assistance to Philpost to improve its remittance systems in order to maximize the benefits of the UMID systems to its members particularly the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The SSS will also provide PhilPost a P1-billion loan which would be secured by real estate properties as collateral, for the upgrading and development of PhilPost’s remittance system.