Amendment of prior issuance policies
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 amends Administrative Order No. 89-05 dated 17 February 1989 of the former Secretary of Transportation and Communications.
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 requires the amended policies to incorporate other policies for the determination of subjects and themes for postage stamp issuance.
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 requires compliance with the amended policies in the determination of subjects and themes to be considered for issuance.
Categories of postage stamps
- Postage stamps are classified into three (3) categories: Definitive Stamps, Commemorative Stamps, and Special Stamps.
- Definitive Stamps are for general and continuous use for all existing postal rates.
- Definitive Stamps must be printed in sufficient quantities to last for a minimum of one (1) year.
- Commemorative Stamps must mark anniversaries of national and international significance and are issued in limited quantities.
- Commemorative Stamps are available for philatelic sale for a period of six (6) months from the first day of sale, and must conform with basic prevailing rates.
- Special Stamps promote, publicize, and draw attention to events and objects of national and international significance, are issued in limited quantities, are available for philatelic sale for six (6) months from the first day of sale, and must conform with basic prevailing rates.
Governance, coordination, and final decision
- The design of stamps is governed by general policies that may be revised and amended in consultation with the Stamp Advisory Committee of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
- The Postmaster General has final decision on the stamp policies governing design.
- Stamp subjects and themes generally must promote mutual understanding, strengthen bonds of international friendship, and disseminate Philippine culture and history.
- Issuance subjects and significance must be coordinated for certain issues with designated institutions for authentication purposes.
Subjects and themes: persons and limits
- As a general rule, subjects and themes for postage stamps must be those likely to promote mutual understanding, strengthen international friendship, and disseminate Philippine culture and history.
- No living persons may be honored on any postage stamp except:
- the President of the Republic of the Philippines;
- a visiting foreign Head of State or Head of Government; and
- other exceptional persons.
- For regular or definitive issues, the following subjects shall be considered:
- Philippine national heroes and famous or eminent figures in Philippine history;
- past and present Presidents; and
- national economic development activities;
- plus other topical subjects.
- For special issues, the only listed subject types for issuance are:
- the President of the Republic of the Philippines;
- a visiting foreign Head of State and/or Head of Government;
- other exceptional persons;
- International Congresses and/or summit meetings and the like in consultation with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation; and
- other topical subjects popular to collectors.
Definitive, commemorative, and special rules
- Commemorative stamps may not be considered for issue after the commemorated year.
- Commemorative stamps of events of national or international significance are considered only to commemorate anniversaries according to specified anniversary categories.
- Commemorative issuance categories include, among others:
- Civic Organizations/institutions: 50th Year and every 50 years thereafter; for International Organizations, the commemorative date is reckoned only from the time it was introduced in the Philippines.
- Provinces/Capital Cities/Commercial establishments: 100th year, and every 50 years thereafter.
- Universities/Schools: 100th year and every 50 years thereafter.
- Subjects for commemorative issues must be coordinated with the National Historical Institute to determine their significance and for authentication purposes.
Additional subject restrictions and program planning
- No postage stamps honoring individuals may be issued earlier than five (5) years after their death, except memorial issues honoring a recently deceased President of the Republic of the Philippines.
- A yearly stamp program must be prepared by the Postage Division in coordination with the Philatelic Division of the Philippine Postal Corporation at least twelve (12) months before the start of the new calendar year.
- The yearly stamp program must be reviewed and revised, if necessary, to suit budgetary requirements when the annual budget for the printing of the stamps is approved by the proper authorities.
- A request for a stamp issue must be submitted to the Philippine Postal Corporation at least twelve (12) months before the start of every calendar year for consideration in the yearly stamp program.
Stamp issuance quantities and advance promotion
- The quantity of stamps to be printed per issue must be based on operational requirements and consonant with the technical aspect of philately.
- A Philatelic Bulletin must be released by the Stamp and Philatelic Division at least two (2) weeks in advance of a new stamp issue to promote Philippine stamps in domestic and international markets.
- The Philatelic Bulletin must include a replica of a stamp and must print and cancel the replica.
Souvenir sheets and sales promotion
- The maximum denomination of each Souvenir Sheet must not be more than double the 1st class international rate.
- Each Souvenir Sheet must fit an ordinary envelope.
- Civic Organization/Societies must help promote the sale of stamps.
Penalties, separability, and repeals
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 provides no penalty, fine, or sanction for non-compliance.
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 provides that its policies supersede any and all previous policies on stamp issuance.
- PPC Administrative Order No. 93-01 requires immediate effect and governs stamp issuance policies upon adoption on December 15, 1993.