MANILA, Philippines - With more and more people preferring to text and e-mail, the postman finds himself with lesser mail, and lesser employee benefits as a result.

In fact, postmen in Quezon City protested Friday due to the delay in receiving their benefits.

Vic Cantillana, a postman, revealed that he hasn't received yet the benefits due him. His salary is also not commensurate to the tiring task he has to perform each day--to deliver 200 letters in one day, rain or shine. "Mahirap kasi maghapon naglalakad, hatid sa mga bahay at mga building," he said.

According to Juanito Casidag, chief of mail delivery for Quezon City at Philpost, postmen's benefits include "GMA bonus, meal allowance, rice allowance at transportation allowance."

But although Philpost wants to give the postmen what they deserve, its hands are tied.

Philpost said their earnings have dropped significantly since the Internet and cellphone became popular. Because of these, fewer people send mail the traditional way, by post.

Whereas in past years, Philpost earned from P5 billion to P6 billion a year, earnings have been at about P3 million annually since 2001.

This is clearly not enough to cover the operation costs of Philpost as well as the salaries of its 13,000 employees.

"Technology has taken away the revenues out from the cup. Di kami makasabay," said Louie Carlos, deputy postmaster general for administration at Philpost.

The agency has also been losing business because of private courier companies who are tough competitors.

Lower mail volume not just a local problem

The Philippine postal system is not alone in having to face the effects of lower mail volume.

In a report filed by cnnmoney.com, the US Postal Service's business model is said to be not viable anymore. In fiscal year 2010, the agency expects to incur more than $7 billion in losses due to decreased mail volume, stagnant revenue and growing workforce costs. Some 40,000 positions have already been chopped in fiscal year 2009 via early retirement packages and attrition.

Philpost is hoping that the new administration to take office on June 30 will be able to help the agency pursue modernization. "We need an equity from the government," said Carlos. This is the only way they can cope with the effects of technology. They need to keep up with the modern system of communication so they can recover their losses.

Cantillano, on the other hand, along with the other employees at the post office are hoping Philpost will give them their mid-year bonus by June 15 as promised. -- With report from Wheng Hidalgo, ABS-CBN News.