DHL Express and the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) recently signed a memorandum of agreement for a public-private partnership (PPP)  project.
“We are happy to announce today the partnership with DHL and PHLPost. This will enable us to expand the services of both companies. We are excited and happy to work with them,” Josefina de la Cruz, PHLpost CEO and postmaster general said.
“PHLpost is definitely back on track and there’s no turning back,” De la Cruz added.
“We are not just a stamp company, we’re now a logistics company,” she further said.
The PPP project will enable PHLPost to strengthen its international service offering to small and medium enterprises in the country.
In collaboration with DHL Express, PHLpost will also  provide more shipping options to Filipino customers all over the globe.
“Our partnership will give us leverage on the extensive network and services of DHL Express to further boost our product offerings and reach. It will extend over and beyond the maximum weight limit permissible and outside of the existing serviceable countries of our Express Mail Service. This will enable us to be more globally competitive and ready to serve the increasing demands of our customers. The extension of services allows us to continue to add value to our customers through the provision of prompt and affordable services,” said De la Cruz.
Under the agreement, DHL Express service will cover the shipments weighing 0.5 kg and above that are to be sent to countries which is currently not covered by PHLPost’s Express Mail Service and shipments sent to countries where EMS is offered, but exceed the maximum weight that can be accepted.
De la Cruz said they are excited about this partnership because it is borne out of both parties’ mutual desire to provide Filipinos with fast and reliable ways to send heavier parcels and packages to more countries abroad.
The collaboration, she explained, is a perfect combination of the unrivalled global network and expertise in international express industry of DHL Express, with PHLPost’s local postal services and its extensive reach in the country.
More importantly, local small and medium enterprises will be able to tap on the wealth of knowledge that DHL and PHLPost possess to expand their business overseas more efficiently,” said Nurhayati Abdullah, country manager of DHL Express in the Philippines.
DHL Express services will first be available at 12 PHLpost locations in the country, and expected to add more outlets in 2014.
This locations are in central post offices in Manila, Quezon City and Makati City; Ortigas, Pasig City; Greenhills, San Juan City; Cebu City; Baguio City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Angeles, Pampanga; Iloilo City; Legaspi City; and Davao City.
Customers will be able to enjoy the ease of shipping internationally all over the 220 countries by simply registering their documents and packages at the post offices.
Through 24/7 service hotline, and track and trace capability, customers will also be able to monitor their shipment from pick-up to delivery.

By Kristine Ann Goda and Kevin Hombrebueno

Thirty-two Blaan tribal leaders in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur completed the Department of Education (DepEd) Ladderized Education and Acceleration Program for Barangay, Tribal Officers and Workers (LEAP-BTOW) recently.
Such is opening opportunities for better livelihood options as well as preparing them for challenges in tribal management and leadership.
The tribal chiefs thanked DepEd and Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) for the opportunity the course has given them to acquire more knowledge and management skills.
They said their newly-acquired skills could make them more productive in their functions as tribal or barangay workers.
Most of the tribal leaders did not complete their elementary education for various reasons.
SMI provided learning materials and covered the teachers’ honorarium.  
The program ran from July 2012 to April 2013 in venues provided by the barangay council.

Celebrating its 114th anniversary, the Commission on Audit (CoA) conducted its first Media Orientation at the Old SAADO Auditorium in the agency’s office in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City recently.
Among the delegates who attended the activity were from the Philippine News Agency, RPN News, PTV4, dzXL-RMN, Zoe TV, Manila Bulletin, The Daily Tribune, Philippine Star, Manila Standard Today, Business Mirror, Business World and Balita.
The orientation focused mainly on CoA’s rules, regulations and role in national, local and corporate institutions.
The New Government Accounting System (NGAS) and Citizens Charter were also brought up during the event.
“We use NGAS to make the auditing process user friendly, to make it easy to use through Internet access,” said Lourdes Castillo, CoA assistant commissioner  on government accountancy sector.
NGAs utilizes the use of computerized accounting systems in generating audit reports.
It was designed to meet International Accounting Standards.
On the other hand, the Citizen’s Charter includes CoA’s e-mail and mobile texting campaign where the public can send concerns regarding institutional audit deficiencies and problems.
“Were not a front liner agency like LTFRB but we use Citizen’s Charter,” said Assistant Commissioner Luz Tolentino of Professional and Institutional Development.
Other speakers were Assistant Commissioner Isabel Agito, national government sector; Assistant Commissioner Rosemarie Lerio, local government sector and Assistant CommissionerDivina Aragon, corporate government sector.

By Charlene S. Joanino