MICHAEL MEDINA
Online news editor
OZAMIZ CITY: Avid Philatelists now have an added treasure to their collection with the launching of Ozamiz City’s 250th Anniversary commemorative stamp.
Philately or stamp collecting is considered the world's most fascinating hobby. Through philately, one can learn of a country's history, art, culture, and industry as depicted in special commemorative stamps.
Philatelic stamps come in different forms: Mint, Cancelled, Setenant, Souvenir sheets, and Sheetlets.
The unveiling and presentation of the souvenir frame and the launching of the commemorative stamp was held at the Museo inside the Cotta fort, led by Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, city councilors, provincial board member Ricardo Parojinog and attended by heads of offices.
With the city officials are Hector Villanueva, Philpost postmaster general and Nimia Acebes, its regional director.
In his speech, Parojinog said he is happy with the release of the commemorative stamp since this is one way that Ozamiz City will be showcased throughout the world through the use of the stamp in postal mails.
Villanueva, for his part, praised Parojinog for a “job well done” in restoring the 250-year-old fort, also known as Fuerte de la Concepcion del Triunfo de la Cruz.
He added that aside from getting the recognition of being a cultural and pilgrimage destination in Northwestern Mindanao, the city can also help in the promotion of the commemorative stamp through its use in mails and sale at only P7 each.
Last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved a proposal to modernize the country’s postal system through a P5.7 billion build-lease-transfer (BLT) project for Philpost.
Under the proposal, many outdated post offices will be converted into modern e-post shops with an environment similar to a business center or Internet cafe.
Aside from the traditional postal services, the e-post shops would provide services such as Internet, desktop publishing, printing, scanning and telephone, VOIP, fax and other services.