Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._ 10925

Introduced by REP. RONALD V. SINGSON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Postal administration is a contributing agent to a country’s Gross Domestic Products.
In the United States, the use of Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) codes was adopted in 1963, and
subsequently enhanced in 1983, in order to make it easier for the ubiquitous postman to deliver
a letter.

Shipping and logistics companies use zip codes to optimize their delivery routes and
ensure that packages are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. Healthcare providers
can use zip codes to identify areas where there are high concentrations of people with specific
health conditions. This information can be used to develop targeted healthcare initiatives and
improve healthcare outcomes. Moreover, emergency responders can use zip codes to quickly
identify the location of an emergency and dispatch appropriate resources. This can save
valuable time in emergency situations and help ensure a more effective response.

In the Philippines, the use of postal code was initially prescribed in Letter of
Instructions No. 605, issued on September 29, 1977. Nonetheless, LOI 605 does not mandate
its usage.

The country currently uses a 4-digit zip code system for more than 42,000 barangays
all over the Philippines. This system, however, fails to provide a code that is unique to each
barangay.

Recent developments have emphasized the importance of using zip codes. Thus, this
‘measure proposes to mandate the Philippine Postal Corporation to institutionalize the usage of
zip code and adopt a modernized alphanumeric zip code system.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the early approval of this bill is earnestly

sought.
NALD VSINGSO!


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._ 10925

Introduced by REP. RONALD V. SINGSON

AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE POSTAL CORPORATION (PHLPOST)
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE USAGE OF ZONE IMPROVEMENT PLAN (ZIP)
CODE AND ADOPTING FOR THE PURPOSE A MODERNIZED ALPHANUMERIC
‘ZIP CODE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Modernized ZIP Code System Act”.

SEC. 2. The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) is hereby mandated to
institutionalize the usage of Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code and to adopt a modernized
alphanumeric zip code system.

SEC. 3. The modernized alphanumeric zip code shall be composed of: two (2)
alphabetic characters (A-Z), representing the province; and five (5) Arabic numerals (0-9),
representing the city or municipality and barangay.

SEC. 4. A transitory period of eighteen (18) months from the effectivity of this Act
shall be provided to all national government agencies, local government units, GOCCs,
government financial institutions, and all private sector entities to update their database
pursuant to the new zip code system.

SEC. 5. The PHLPOST shall develop and maintain a publicly available website or
online application that will allow the public to search their zip code or find a zip by place name.

SEC. 6. The Department of Education, the Department of Interior and Local
Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry and the
Governance Commission for GOCCs and other relevant government agencies in coordination


with PHLPOST shall develop and execute an information and education campaign ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 8. Alll laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, rules or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,