Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) Postmaster General-CEO Norman Fulgencio led the unveiling Wednesday morning (June 29) of the commemorative stamps marking the 125th anniversary of the Department of Finance (DOF).

In ceremonies held at the DOF Office in Manila, Fulgencio and Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero also signed during the event a Supplemental Agreement for the collection of duties, taxes, and other charges on postal items and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Under the Supplemental Agreement between the BOC and Philpost, the latter shall provide a means for the online payment of customs duties, taxes, and other charges from postal items it handles.

This initiative will ultimately streamline the current systems and procedures of government services to ensure a more efficient, secure, hassle-free, and reliable payment system. In turn, this will help prevent graft and corruption in the delivery of government services.

Part of the ceremonies was the signing by Dominguez and Fulgencio of the official first day cover of the stamps, which will be forwarded to the Postal Museum and Philatelic Library for record keeping.

DOF Undersecretary Maria Edita Tan said the commemorative stamps “immortalize our impact on the fabric of Philippine history, our game-changing tax reform programs, our dedication to crafting fiscally sound policies, and our passion for changing Filipino lives that will serve as our legacy for future generations. May this inspire everyone to continue the momentum established by our predecessors to create a comfortable life for all,”

Fulgencio for his part, said the launching of the stamps “underscores the vital role of the Department of Finance not only in ensuring sound fiscal policy for the government but also for the responsible management of government resources to provide the Filipino people with infrastructure, education, health, and other basic services.”

The stamp features the facade of the modern DOF building on Roxas Boulevard that was renovated during Dominguez’s term. The upper left of the stamp shows the Philippine peso, which represents “the growth and lively progression of the economy,” Fulgencio said.

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