Knowing how essential mails and packages are, Bert, a postal worker assigned at the Manila Central Post Office says that in spite of the danger of being infected with the virus they are doing their best to move the mail to the satisfaction of the mailing public.
Amid the much stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), minimal workforce was allowed to work on-site in gov’t agencies including PHLPost to ensure continuous delivery of services while observing community quarantine guidelines.
“Wala pong transportasyon, malinis ang kalsada, at parang ghost town ang paligid habang ginagawa namin ang aming delivery,” the Postman said in Filipino. (There are no public transportation, streets are empty, and the places look like a ghost town during our delivery).
The Postman along with their ever-reliable motorcycles would be perfect to provide relief in delivering mail to pensioners, e-commerce parcels, and sss calamity loan checks in the metropolis.
With very limited air and sea conveyance, the post office encounters difficulty in bringing the mail in and out of the country. That is why there were delays in the delivery of mail, vital supplies, and important documents.
According to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), their workers are on the frontlines of the coronavirus. They are essential in keeping the public afloat during these extraordinary times of a lockdown.
“We are asking the public to bear with us during these difficult situations,” says Assistant Postmaster General for Operations Joel Zamudio.
“Now more than ever, we are careful to avoid possible health problems among our employees.
We are regularly sanitizing the mail and disinfecting our facilities for the safety of our clients, following the health and safety protocols of the government,” he added.
We are also fixing the old annex building at the iconic Manila Central Post Office to house the new medical and quarantine facility for our workers in Metro Manila,” Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.
Post Offices in the country are open daily (Monday to Friday) to accept and deliver mails and packages, postal ID capturing, and Bayad Center payment facility.
PHLPost has partnered with Bayad Center for the public to conveniently transact the payment of utilities especially for those who cannot leave their homes due to the lockdown. The postman may pick up their payments with corresponding acknowledgment receipts after which a return receipt will be delivered to clients after transactions.
PHLPost is now focusing on the supply chain and the last-mile delivery of essential services as well as the provision of basic postal and financial services.
With many unable to leave their homes, the friendly postman may be the most important guy to turn to, risking their lives to ensure that essential services reach their doorsteps.
