Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos Jr. during the INQLive at the INQUIRER.net office in Makati City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Tuesday he will push for the modernization of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to cater to the needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are using e-commerce platforms.
Marcos said PHLPost “is due for a revamp to expand its services.”
“We are in the process of studying various options for modernizing the PHLPost,” Marcos said in a statement.
“We intend to make PHLPost an ideal delivery partner for e-commerce platforms by increasing its capability and capacity to service its current customer base as well as MSMEs shifting to an online business model,” he added.
Marcos said there is a need to encourage MSMEs to shift to digital means to allow them to participate in the growing e-commerce market in the country. Citing market data provider Statista, Marcos said the e-commerce market in the country is expected to reach $15 billion by 2025.
“There are so many opportunities in the e-commerce space and we need to give those with the entrepreneurial mindset the opportunity to participate,” Marcos said.
Further, Marcos said that aside from increasing the capability of PHLPost, there should also be an improvement in the country’s infrastructure that will support the local logistics sector.
“Apart from increasing the capacity and capability of PHLPost, we will ensure that there is a corresponding infrastructure that would support the growth of our logistics sector. As demand for same-day deliveries for goods increase, we think that PHLPost can fill the gap in servicing outskirt areas,” Marcos said.
Marcos earlier said that modernizing the Philippines’ infrastructure will make the country the next logistics hub in Asia.
Together with his running mate Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, the presidential candidate has also vowed to implement a digital infrastructure development program to fuel the digital shift in the country’s trade and commerce, education, and agriculture research.
READ: Bongbong says PH should modernize infrastructure to become Asia’s next logistics hub