MANILA - The Philippine Post Office (PHLPost) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), through the International Bureau, have invited youth aged 9 to 15 years-old to participate in its 51st International Letter Writing Competition for Young People, to strengthen literacy through the art of letter-writing. "The contest is designed to develop the young people's skills in composition and the ability to express their thoughts clearly, to foster their enjoyment of letter-writing and to help strengthen the bonds of international friendship - one of the basic missions of the UPU," the Post Office said in a statement on Wednesday. Supported by the Department of Education (DepEd), participants from public and private schools nationwide will have to write a letter to an "influential person about why and how to take action on climate change". Entries to the competition must be written in English and should be handwritten with no erasures. Submissions should not exceed 800 words and must contain the basic elements of a letter - heading, salutation, body of the letter, complimentary close and signature. The Post Office reminded participants to indicate in a separate sheet of paper the following information: number of words of the letter composition, participant's complete name and home address, gender of the participant, age and date of birth, colored photo of the participant (300 dpi minimum), name and address of school including year or grade level of participant, and contact number of the school and the participant. Entries should be placed in a brown envelope and be submitted strictly through Domestic Express Mail Service (DEMS) - UPU 51st International Letter Writing Competition for Young People (2022), Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, Philippine Postal Corporation, 3/F Manila Central Post Office Building, Magallanes Drive Liwasang Bonifacio, Barangay 659-A, Ermita 1000 Manila. Entries sent via private couriers will be automatically disqualified. Judging will be based on relevance to the theme of the composition (30 percent), imagination and originality of the contents (20 percent), demonstrates a good style of writing and communication (20 percent), demonstrates an extensive vocabulary (20 percent), and youthfulness of the tone (10 percent). Submissions will be accepted until April 25 and the final winner will be determined on May 2, 2022. First prize for the contest is PHP25,000 cash with medal and presentation frame, second prize will receive PHP15,000 with medal and presentation frame, and third prize will receive PHP10,000 with medal and presentation frame. Interested participants may call Ms. Joy Edralin-Cacho at Tel. No. 8527-01-32 or visit the official website of the Philippine Postal Corporation at phlpost.gov.ph, Facebook pages @PHLpost and @Pilipinas Philately, or twitter account @phlpostofficial for updates on the letter-writing competition. (PR) }