CELEBRATION. Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio (7th from left) is one of the guest speakers at the Asian-Pacific Postal Union 60th anniversary held at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok in Thailand on Friday (Sept. 2, 2022). Fulgencio cited the Philippines' initiatives toward digitalization. (Courtesy of PHLPost) MANILA - Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) was guest speaker during the 60th founding anniversary celebration of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) held at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok in Thailand over the weekend. He cited the gains of the country in pushing for the digital innovation and modernization of PHLPost. "Under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he prioritized the digitalization of public services towards greater efficiency and accountability of public services including the Post Office. In this ever-changing times, digital innovation is the only way to go for businesses to be relevant," Fulgencio said in his speech. Among PHLPost's gains are the relaunch of its website wherein clients can digitally pay their duties and taxes as well as do online purchasing of stamps and partnership with the Bureau of Customs for the adoption of digital transactions. He said the electronic-commerce revolution presents a vast economic potential for the Asia-Pacific, being one of the largest regions in the Universal Postal Union. "There is a need for each country to collaborate and cooperate effectively amid the rapid advancement in technology and globalization," he said. The APPU is an intergovernmental organization that extends, facilitates, and improves postal relations among the 32 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region -- Philippines, Australia, China, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. "This event is very special for all of us. First, we celebrate this historic and momentous occasion in solidarity with each of our country's postal services. Secondly, we appreciate your recognition of the role of the Philippine government in the foundation of APPU 60 years ago. It is our pride and honor that for the first 40 years of its history, the Asian-Pacific Postal Union was based in Manila with the Postmaster General as Director," Fulgencio said. Other speakers included Masahiko Metoki, director general of Universal Postal Union International Bureau; Lin Hongliang, secretary general, APPU; and Ajarin Pattanapanchai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand. Dr. VP Singh will take over as secretary general beginning 2023 after he was elected at the 13th APPU Congress, also on Friday. The APPU was conceptualized from a postal roundtable in Manila in 1961, with 18 countries drawing up the Asian-Oceanic Postal Convention that was held in April 1962. In 2002, the APPU moved to Bangkok and the director position was opened to election by the member countries. (PNA) }