Mountain brgys complain of 'snail mail'

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of the mountain barangays in Cebu City are complaining of the “inefficient service” of the Philippine Postal Corporation whom they say are always late in delivering their letters and other communications.

Guba Barangay Captain Rene Limotan brought up the problem to Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella hoping that this matter can be given an immediate solution.

Labella then proposed a resolution that he submitted before the City Council urging the Philippine Postal Corporation to coordinate with the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) to devise a system and find ways and means to solve the existing deficiency in the postal services to the mountain barangays.

 As a lawyer, Labella said the delay in sending of orders and other notices from the court, Ombudsman and prosecutors offices, like summons, notices of hearing, subpoenas, and other papers addressed to persons residing in the mountain barangays of Cebu City, may result to disadvantageous situations.

 Limotan said, communications are just solely coursed through the post office in Barangay Talamban, which he said does not have enough personnel to quickly deliver the mails and other communications to the concerned persons.

 “This inadequacy in the postal service has often resulted in the party’s to be declared in default, non-suited, cited for contempt of court, arrested, and/or such other prejudicial consequences of the party’s failure to comply with the court’s or other quasi-judicial body’s order within the reglementary period provided by the rules,” said Labella.

 Labella added that the said prejudicial consequences are an indirect form of violation of the party’s right not to be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, a right enshrined in the Constitution.  (FREEMAN)