Before you mail a letter or package through the post office, you are usually required to write the ZIP code (also known as postal code) in the recipient’s mailing address. If you are interested to know the postal code for a particular city, municipality or province, you’ve come to right place because we have compiled a complete and updated list of ZIP codes in the Philippines.
The ZIP code is a postal code used by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and other postal services worldwide to expedite the movement and delivery of mail. The term ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan and has its origins from the 1940s when the United States Post Office divided large cities into zones. Mail are delivered with greater speed and accuracy when ZIP codes are used, as they can be sorted and processed more efficiently at the post office. Instead of dividing mails by city or town, they are sorted (by hand or by machine) into ZIP codes, thus greatly eliminating or reducing errors.
So before you mail out that letter, make sure that you write down the correct ZIP code to avoid possible failure or delay in delivery. Courier companies, not just PHLPost, may also need the addressee’s postal code to facilitate the timely and accurate delivery of letters and packages. Some online shopping websites like Shopee and Lazada even require you to enter your postal code when you provide your address.
Check out the list of ZIP codes for all provinces, cities and municipalities in the Philippines. All data are provided by the Philippine Postal Corporation and edited for accuracy and freshness.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of the ZIP Code
Do you know that the ZIP code was invented because of World War II? When thousands of their employees were sent to the battlefield, the United States Post Office Department (USPOD) created the ZIP (Zoning Improvement Plan) code to help their understaffed offices deliver mail quickly and more efficiently.
But although the ZIP code was conceptualized and created during the war, it wasn’t until 20 years later in 1963 that it was officially implemented. The first ZIP codes initially consist of two digits: the first digit indicated the city and the second digit denoted the state. Later on, as the population grew along with the amount of mail being delivered, the USPOD introduced the current five-digit ZIP code.
Composition of the ZIP Code in the Philippines
Postal codes in the Philippines usually consist of four digits, in which the first two digits represent the city or province. Cities in Metro Manila have more than one ZIP code, while cities and municipalities in the provinces usually only have a single ZIP code. Some large companies and institutions in Metro Manila, such as the Ateneo de Manila and Department of Justice, also have their own three-digit postal codes.
List of Metro Manila ZIP Codes
Use the table below to find the correct postal code for locations in Metro Manila. Click the Previous and Next links at the bottom of the table to show the previous and next entries, respectively.
You can search for a specific place by typing its name in the search field above the table and it will automatically show the locations that match your search term. You can also sort the data by city, location, ZIP code and area code.
List of Provincial ZIP Codes
Use the table below to search the correct postal code for cities and municipalities in Luzon (outside Metro Manila), Visayas and Mindanao. To search for a specific city or municipality, type its name in the search field and it will automatically output locations that match your search term.
You may also sort the data by province, location, ZIP code and area code. To navigate, click the Previous and Next links at the bottom of the table.
How to Use ZIP Codes When Mailing
It’s not enough to write down the postal code of your addressee; you should also write it in its proper location. Post offices recommend placing the ZIP code on the left-hand side of the province, just below the barangay or district and the city or municipality.
Follow this format for Metro Manila addresses:
Name of Addressee
Unit Number, House/Building Name, Street Name
Barangay/District, City/Municipality
ZIP Code + Metro Manila
Philippines
This is the correct format for provincial addresses (outside Metro Manila):
Name of Addressee
Unit Number, House/Building Name, Street Name
Barangay, City/Municipality
ZIP Code + Province
Philippines
For example, to send a letter to someone in Cebu City, you can write something like this:
Juan dela Cruz
Ma. Clara Apartment, M. Velez Street
Capitol Site, Cebu City
6000 Cebu
Philippines
Unit number (and sometimes, house/building name) is optional. If you are sending domestic mail, you can omit “Philippines.” If your addressee is residing in a subdivision, include the subdivision name before the barangay or district.
Conclusion
We hope that you find our list of Philippine ZIP codes useful. Using the correct postal code and writing it down in the proper format ensure that your letters and parcels are promptly delivered to your recipient. Omitting the postal code or using the incorrect code may result in delays in delivery or worse, mail returned to the sender. So take the time to find the correct ZIP code for your addressee or recipient, as it could mean the difference between a speedy delivery or a delayed or failed one.
If you see any error or discrepancy in our list of postal codes in the Philippines, please let us know and we’ll look into it.
