Postal Electronic Services Register Growth

MANILA, Philippines - A study by the United Nations global post agency shows that as physical mail volumes decline, online services allowing users to track and trace packages, find post office locations, transfer money, and pay bills electronically are becoming increasingly important for the postal industry. The study by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) identifies 55 types of postal electronic services (e-services) offered worldwide, pointing to a rapid growth in postal e-services in recent years, with 85 services having been introduced in 2010, compared to 33 in 2007.

Established in 1874, the Swiss-based UPU, a United Nations specialized agency since 1948, coordinates postal policies among its 192 member-nations and the worldwide postal system. Prior to the UPU creation, each country had to prepare a separate postal treaty with other nations it wished to carry international mail to or from. To simplify the system, the United States called for an International Postal Congress in 1863, leading to the creation of the UPU, the third oldest international organization after the Rhine Commission and International Telecommunication Union. The UPU was created in 1874, initially under the name ''General Postal Union'' as a result of the Treaty of Bern on October 9, 1874. Four years later, the name was changed to ''Universal Postal Union.''

Although postal e-services are increasingly important, the UPU study reveals that some posts are still not giving them enough attention in terms of financing, market development, and organizational management. It emphasizes that although industrialized countries provide twice the number of postal e-services than developing countries, several of the latter give innovative solutions.

In the Philippines, the operations of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) have been affected by the advent of e-services, but the agency is doing its best to provide the public with efficient, reliable mail delivery services nationwide. PhilPost is implementing a computerization program to cope with the present global trend. Its money remittance system is going electronic to offer the same convenience as private money couriers.

Postal e-services are essential for fast, efficient, reliable delivery of mails and other documents. As consumers and businesses rely on e-mail, online payment, and electronic delivery options, posts worldwide keep on updating their services to meet the demands of an electronic world. CONGRATULATIONS!