Pimentel wants to tap PHLPost for online shopping deliveries

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) could be tapped to deliver online shopping orders, especially now that e-commerce is growing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel said Thursday.

During a Senate hearing on the proposed P500-million PHLPost budget for 2021, Pimentel said he previously suggested to the Department of Trade and Industry to create an "in-house" online selling platform for small businesses dealing with locally made products.

"Pag sinabi kasing online platform, nandiyan 'yung catalogue, mailman address, andiyan 'yung payment settlement, andiyan 'yung complaint feedback, nandiyan din sana 'yung delivery," said Pimentel who chairs the Senate committee on trade and commerce.

"Dapat sa delivery, PHLPost ang magamit. How can we modernize the PHLPost system so that you can also take part in this program once it becomes a reality? Nandoon 'yung confidence ng DTI na the vendors can use the PHLPost system as delivery in this online shopping platform," he added.

The PHLPost said it is already exploring the idea of offering courier services for online sellers.

"We are also preparing some plans to enter this market," said Maximo Sta Maria III, PHLPost's OIC Assistant Postmaster General for Marketing and Management Support Services.

He added that the plan is aligned to the computerization and marketing programs of the PHLPost for 2021.

PHLPost is a government-owned and controlled corporation in charge of providing postal services in the Philippines. — BM, GMA News