DOST, PhilPost ink MOA on nationwide distribution effort

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) forged yesterday a tie-up with the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) for the nationwide distribution of a mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal (OL) trap effective in preventing the increase in population of the dengue-carrying of aedes aegypti mosquito.

Ma. Josefina “Josie” dela Cruz, Postmaster General and Philpost chief executive officer, said that the partnership with DOST was seen both as a challenge and an opportunity for the government-owned corporation to prove its capability as a vehicle for nationwide distribution that can reach the most isolated areas of the country, and its relevancy amid the threat of the Internet that has seen a dwindling volume of sales by the PhilPost of postal stamps for snail mail.

“This is an enormous opportunity and possibility for us,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz, and PhilPost board chairman Cesar Sarino, signed yesterday a memorandum of agreement with the DOST, represented by Assistant Secretary Raymond Liboro, and Cesar Trajano, vice president for marketing and distribution of Heritage Veterinary Corp., which  has adopted the mosquito OL trap developed by the DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI).

Under the MOA, PhilPost agreed not just to distribute but assist in disseminating information about the mosquito OL traps in communities around the country, as well as sell the OL trap kits.

Dela Cruz said that PhilPost will start the mobilization to bring an initial 1 million OL trap kits to 19 postal offices throughout the country.

Dela Cruz said that the program will enable the 4,000 postmen around the country to go out of their comfort zones and transform themselves into salesmen for the beneficial antio-dengue OL trap kits.

She said that if the PhilPost shows itself as an effective distribution entity, other agencies will come to get its services in distributing goods and products nationwide.

“ We can show them that our postmen can reach the most isolated parts of the country and can even sell their products,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz said that this will hopefully start the Philpost on its bid to transform itself as a logistics company. 

For his part, Liboro said that the DOST was also excited about the partnership, saying that they can also tap the PhilPost to distribute and sell other breakthrough products that were developed by the DOST and adopted by local private firms that came up with commercial products such as consumer goods and herbal medicines.

This early, Liboro said that they were already looking at a hybrid rice variety developed by the DOST and its Philippine Rice Research Institute which can help rice farmers increase their yield, as the next product it can tap the PhilPost for nationwide distribution to its target beneficiaries.