Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3666

Introduced by REP. DENNIS “TOM” L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE POSTAL CORPORATION TO ADOPT A MODERNIZED ZONE
IMPROVEMENT PLAN CODE SYSTEM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code is a series of numbers or letters used by postal
services to organize and streamline mail delivery. ZIP codes help ensure the efficient and
accurate distribution of letters, packages, and other postal items both locally and
internationally.

These codes allow postal workers to sort and route mail by geographic location. They
also enable businesses to map service areas, calculate shipping costs, and analyze customer
demographics.

In the Philippines, ZIP codes are four-digit numbers assigned to specific areas by the
Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost). They facilitate efficient mail delivery and support
various administrative and commercial functions, including the processing of government
documents, shipping, logistics, and online transactions.

Despite their benefits, some rural and remote areas still lack specific ZIP codes and
rely on those of nearby towns or cities.

The use of postal codes in the country was introduced through Letter of Instructions
No. 605, issued on September 29, 1977. However, it did not make their use mandatory.

With the growing complexity of commerce and governance, and the increasing
reliance on both physical and digital platforms, the current ZIP code system needs to be
updated to reflect technological and geographic developments.

This bill mandates PHLPost to adopt a modern alphanumeric ZIP code system
consisting of two alphabetic characters representing the province and five numeric digits
representing the city or municipality and barangay. Every barangay will be assigned a unique
ZIP code under this system.

Originally filed as House Bill No. 11255 by 21 members of the 19th Congress, the
measure was approved on third and final reading on January 28, 2025.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is respectfully sought.

REP. DENNIS -ron HERNANDEZ ’
4" District of Rizal or


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3666

Introduced by Rep. Dennis “Tom” L. Hernandez

AN ACT
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE POSTAL CORPORATION TO ADOPT A MODERNIZED ZONE
IMPROVEMENT PLAN CODE SYSTEM

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 adopt and
institutionalize a modernized alphanumeric Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code System.

SEC. 3. The modemized alphanumeric ZIP Code shall be composed of: two (2) alphabetic characters
(A-2), representing the province; and five (5) Arabic numerals (0-9), representing the city or
municipality and barangay. Each of the current forty-two thousand and eleven (42,011) barangays
shall be assigned a unique alphanumeric zip code: Provided, That the PHLPOST shall ensure that
the system allows flexibility in accommodating the creation, division, merger, or abolition of a
barangay, through a law or ordinance, and shall regularly coordinate with the Department of the
Interior and Local Government and other concemed government agencies.

SEC. 4, Utilizing the modernized system, the PHLPOST shall update its website’s ZIP Code Locator
that shall allow the public to search with ease the ZIP Code of a certain barangay and vice versa

‘SEC. 5. A transitory period of thirty-six (36) months from the effectivity of this Act shall be set for all
national government agencies, local government units, government-owned or -controlled

corporations, and private sector entities to update their database using the new ZIP Code System.
The PHLPOST shail develop and implement, together with the communications offices of all
government agencies, an information and education campaign on the modemized ZIP Code System
to all sectors, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 6. All 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. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,