How (un)efficient is the post in the Philippines?

Marc: Your 2 experiences are the norm for a parcel (or letter containing cash) ie they are NOT delivered intact.

I have always heard those "horror" stories and I am pretty sure it happens in a daily basis but I personally have not encountered anything similar.

Now I have never sent anything to ****** so I personally have no idea how bad it is there.

But I do believe that you can always miminize these instances with a few common sense tactics. Although of course in certain areas there is probably nothing you could do to really change the probability of these types of things happening.

Sending anything? Balikbayan boxes (from a reputable company) is the way to go.

Philippines post? Quite efficient, you can get a letter from overseas within 7-10 days.

But in the case of a package which might include valuable items, clearly unreliable, based on your previous experience. Plus ****** is one of the poorest provinces, so your expectations are too high.

Using a courier is normal practice.

I'm not sure about how the Phil. Post works now. What I know is that it takes about a month or two for the person to receive a letter, but that was my mother's experience several years ago.

Most people would go to LBC or JRS Express establishments to send/receive packages and letters, and Western Union to send/receive money.

About 6 years ago, my mother had sent money via JRS Express to my sister who was at that time in Manila. After several days, my sister texted she didn't receive it. So we sticked to LBC later on, and we had no complaints about their service. Same with Western Union, my mother sent money to my sister in Oman. After a few hours, my sister informed us about receiving it.

well, in all countries, this problem is prominent and not only in the Philippines. The answer to your questions is that employees in the Post Office are paid very little and they try to make up by taking stuff away from the packages. Ashamed? yes, but it is poverty what drives people to do immoral things.

Phil Post and no letters delivered.

No more to say mate.

Added Later---

Chocolate--IS-- a valuable item in the PI mate, Filipinos absolutely LOVE the stuff and cant get enough of it.

Letters with no valuable enclosures (like cash ) are still being received!

Packages are "carefully examined" and contents usually disappears!

WE DON'T TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE POST OFFICE,LIKE ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICES THEY ARE ALL CORRUPT.