USPS replies on delays in delivery to FAS countries
The U.S. Postal Service has responded the Journal concerning delays in its mail services to the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.
John Hyatt, strategic communications specialist based in San Diego, Calif., told the Journal that some Priority Mail parcels and lightweight Ground Advantage parcels were sent by surface instead of air transportation.
Hyatt said, “We’d like your readers and community to know that the Postal Service is committed to accurate and timely delivery of mail to all states, territories, and possessions of the United States, including those in the Pacific Region. The mode of transportation for offshore destinating mail (air or sea) is determined by the customer’s choice of mail class or product. A recent review found that some mail which should have been transported by air was improperly placed in mail containers for sea transportation.
“To correct these errors, procedures at processing facilities handling mail destinating for offshore locations have been implemented to validate the routing of lightweight Ground Advantage items and Priority Mail products for air transport. They are also validating and certifying the proper procedures for Ground Advantage and other products which should be transported by sea.
President Wesley W. Simina, Federated States of Micronesia, highlighted the importance of a reliable postal service between the FSM and the U.S. with Adm. Samuel Paparo and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Photo courtesy U.S. State Department
Hyatt said USPS apologizes for the delays and inconvenience customers have experienced.
“We understand the extent to which our customers, especially those in the Pacific Region, rely on us for efficient and effective service. We believe these corrective actions will improve the timely processing and transportation of mail.”
A regional tropical cyclone formation alert has been issued as a developing weather disturbance northwest of Yap threatens to strengthen the seasonal monsoon across western Micronesia and the Mariana Islands.
Meteorologists warn that catastrophic winds from Super Typhoon Bavi are bearing down on Rota, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an extreme wind warning early Monday. The NWS issues such alerts when sustained winds of 120 mph or more are expected.
With Super Typhoon Bavi now packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and forecast to strengthen further as it moves toward the Marianas, emergency officials are urging businesses and residents to treat this weekend as their critical window to prepare for potentially damaging winds.
