PHLPost appeals for Customs agency to release international parcels
The Postmaster General of the Philippines has called on the Bureau of Customs to address a shortage of customs inspectors which has led to delays in the delivery of international parcels. Josie Dela Cruz said problems with customs clearance has seen parcels piling up at the Central Mail Exchange Centre in Pasay City.
She said standard operating procedures at the facility during the peak season were hampered by the absence of Customs Examiners tasked to clear the parcels prior to dispatch.
Apologising to PHLPost customers for the delays, she said changes in leadership at the Department of Finance agency had aggravated the gap in normal operations.
“There’s nothing we can do it there is no Customs Examiner,” said Dela Cruz.
PHLPost has raised the urgent concern with the new Bureau of Customs Commissioner, John Phillip Sevilla, who was appointed last month.
The Postmaster General said her firm had even sent photographs of undelivered parcels to reveal the extent of the backlogs, hoping the new leadership will act quickly to tackle the issue.
“We regret that this happened during the time when most Filipinos were expecting to receive packages from their relatives here and abroad, but we will make sure that we will deliver all parcels as soon as they have been cleared for release by Customs,” said Dela Cruz.
Modernisation
PHLPost, which has been contending with major damage to its infrastructure in the areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan last year, has faced recent press stories stating that parcels have been held up for five months by the customs problems.
This week national press stories suggested that thousands of parcels are stuck in the Pasay City facility, stacked as high as the ceiling.
The problems come as PHLPost has been working hard to turn around its reputation and improve efficiency with a modernisation of infrastructure and processes under Postmaster General Dela Cruz.
The end of 2013 saw PHLPost commended by the national Commission on Elections for its efficient and on-time delivery of election materials during the 2013 Barangay Elections in October.
Dela Cruz said the recognition motivated her company to continue pushing to reach far-flung areas and help Filipinos exercise their democratic rights.
“This also gives the corporation an opportunity, a window, to speak to the nation and tell them that PhlPost is here and we can provide them the best service that they deserve,” she said.
