We are already in the age of digital technology, touch-enabled gadgets, and wireless connectivity, but your post office is still far behind. Mr. Postmaster General, it's a pity to see your hard-working employees who are still employing the tedious process of manually recording transactions in the log book. Why don't you fully-computerize your department?
I went to the Manila Post Office earlier this afternoon to verify the package that was sent to me by my uncle from the US. It has been over three weeks now and I haven't received the package yet; thus, I decided to visit your main office.
I asked for some instructions to a lady employee manning the entrance gate. I told her where to verify my package delivery. She seemed to have a bad hair day that afternoon as manifested by the tone of her voice; nonetheless, I just ignored the attitude and proceeded with my inquiry. In fairness, she gave me the correct window to go through to check my delivery.
Thus, I went downstairs and proceeded to Window 131 as instructed. I approached a stout lady manning the window and told her that I want to verify a package delivery. I told her I have the tracking number with me in my possession. When I told her the tracking number, she told me that there is no record of such because certain tracking numbers—like in my case started with LC—can't be traced. I was told that such delivery is treated like an ordinary mail. The stout lady said that the package will go directly to the post man and not to their department.
So, I asked her if there is a way to verify my item. Because i told them that if it is proven that my package had arrived already, then I could be able to check with the postman in our area. She just said "wait", then she went to a room. Having no idea what I would be waiting for, I talked to the other lady manning Window 131. She is a thin lady. She apologized for the inconvenience and she shouted to the fat lady if she already found the log book for December. The stout lady went back to her station with the log book of about two inches thick. She told me to just look for the record of my package.
The apologetic thin lady told me to please bear with them because they have no computers and they are undermanned due to the recent "rationalization" in their department. Having no recourse, I proceeded to sift through the pages.
Whoa! I've finished examining the whole log book but I found no trace of my delivery. I was told by the thin lady that it could probably be in "one of the bags", but they can't help me look for the bag where my package belongs because there is no supervisor to counter-check, plus no one will be left manning the front line.
The thin lady told me if I want to expedite the search she told me to call the Pasay Post Office which is where the main segregation center of mails and packages delivered via airmail is located. She told me to get from them the "bag number" and the "date of dispatch". Also she gave me a tip not to mention LC when I provide the tracking number, just mention directly the numbers in the tracking number plus the place of origin like in my case US. She said that mentioning LC as in my case seems like a plague and no one in the post office will be willing to assist me for that matter. Once I get those information, I could go back to them and they could easily trace the package. WTF!
On second thought, I understand the dire situation of those employees. Hence, as much as I want to loose my temper I'd rather keep my patience. I just told myself that for as long as my package won't get lost that would be good enough to warrant my trust and confidence to the very institution that is the source of my other passion, i.e., philatelic collection.
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