Postage rates to rise effective on Monday

Starting Monday there will be an increase of P1 to P2 in the postage rates for domestic mail and parcels coursed through the Philippine Postal Corporation.

But regional postmaster Alfredo Estrera said the increased rates apply only to mail within the Philippines and not the international postage service.

The government-owned postage service had its last increase in 2003.

According to the copies of the old and new rates obtained from the Talisay City, ordinary mail weighing 20 grams and below will now be mailed for P7 instead of P6 for destinations within the province of Cebu.

Airmail or mail sent for places outside Cebu but within the Philippines will now cost P9 instead of P8.

For priority mail assuring only two to three days delivery, there is a P3 increase for both classifications within Cebu and outside Cebu.

Old postage rates for priority mail within Cebu was only P10 while priority mail sent within the Philippines was only at P15.

For registered mail, the type which are commonly used for documentation, those weighing 20 grams and below within Cebu requires an additional P2 from the old rate.

Packages at a minimum of 2000 grams are now sent at P75 instead of P60 if within Cebu and P91 instead of P80 if within the country.

Money order fees also increased at P36 for a minimum of P500 and below instead of P20.

But sending money through the PPC is still the cheapest compared to the other commercial and private money couriers.

Rates for international postage are also expected to rise at the second half of the year. - Ferliza C. Contratista