Snail mail drops on Valentine’s Day

The technology of text messaging and e-mail is taking the romance of snail mail out of the Filipinos.

The Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) said yesterday that the volume of mail the agency receives during Valentine’s season has been decreasing over the years.

"There is no data immediately available on this but by way of observation of the people that go to the central post office during Valentine’s season, the number of people greeting their loved ones through the mail is getting less," noted Philpost information officer Tirso Paglicawan.

Paglicawan admits that this is because of the much faster technology of text messaging and e-mail which are now dominating the country’s communication system.

Records showed that Philpost-National Capital Region (NCR) processes around 3 million letters and packages daily.

"This means all classification of mails, including the ordinary mail, registered mail, domestic and international express mail, domestic parcel, postal money order service, business reply cards and the like. It is both incoming and outgoing mails that the NCR personally receive," he added.

During Christmas and Valentine’s season, Philpost expects mail volume to increase by at least 20 percent.

Paglicawan, however, admitted that the volume of mail during these seasons went down through the years. "It’s because text messaging and e-mail became popular among Filipinos, especially the youths," he said.

But Paglicawan maintained that nothing could beat Valentine’s cards and letters delivered through the mail.

"Cards and letters sent through the post are most personal. It’s the best way to express your love. Nothing could beat it, especially during Valentine’s Day. Unlike text and e-mail messages, cards and letters could be kept for a long time," he told The STAR.

To lure back the public into sending their Valentine’s cards and letters through the mail, Philpost-NCR mailmen will play Cupid during Valentine’s Day by making delivery of chocolate and flowers.

"We will not only deliver cards or letters. The public can ask us to send flowers and chocolates for their loved ones for a minimal fee," he said.

Marina Lejos, operations chief of Philpost-NCR, said that under the project, mail carriers from satellite post offices would have to bring flowers and chocolate to the central post office in Liwasang Bonifacio at 12 noon on Feb. 14.

The cut-off period for sending mail through Philpost-NCR’s acceptance centers is 11 a.m.

"The program covers only Metro Manila. The central office will be our exchange center where the flowers and chocolate will be sorted out according to destination. At around 1 p.m., our mailmen will go back to their assigned areas with the mail that they will deliver to their recipients," she added.

Packages will be charged based on weight. The postal fee for a package weighing 41 to 60 grams is P30 while 81 to 100 grams is P40.

Lejos assured the public that their packages would be delivered to their loved ones around 2 p.m. on the same day.

"This Valentine’s Day will be more memorable if one will receive flowers and chocolates. We assure the public that we will deliver their package on time," she said. – Sheila Crisostomo