By Liwayway Yparraguirre/PNA
DAGUPAN CITY — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) branch here is encouraging Pangasinenses to exchange at any banking institution “unfit or dirty” bank notes in their possession for integrity, security and health reasons.
“Ang gusto ng BSP ay malinis na pera ang nagsi-circulate sa ating economy for three reasons – one, to maintain currency integrity; two, kapag malinis ang perang papel ay very evident ang security features at iwas peke; three, para maiwasan ang pag-transmit ng disease-causing bacteria (BSP wants the money circulating in our economy to be clean for three reasons—one is to maintain currency integrity; two, because if the money is clean, the security features are evident and so we could prevent spread of fake money; three is to prevent transmission of disease-causing bacteria),” said Ma. Lourdes Manaois, BSP-Dagupan Officer II in an interview on Tuesday.
She cited Section 56 (Replacement of Currency Unfit for Circulation) of Republic Act No. 7653 (New Central Bank Act of 1993), which states that “The Bangko Sentral shall withdraw from circulation and shall demonetize all notes and coins which for any reason whatsoever are unfit for circulation and shall replace them by adequate notes and coins.”
To drumbeat the campaign, the BSP conducted a one-day activity dubbed “Marutak ya Kwarta tan Barya? Isalat mo la! (Dirty bills and coins? Exchange it!)” at a mall here last Saturday.
Manaois said a total of PHP533,990 of dirty or unfit bank notes and coins were exchanged for new ones. The preferred denominations, she said, were PHP20 and PHP50 bank notes.
“After this, they can exchange dirty or unfit bank notes at any bank kahit hindi sila depositor o client nong bank (After this, they can exchange dirty or unfit bank notes at any bank even if they are not depositors or clients of that bank),” she said.
“Malalaman kung ang perang hawak nila ay unfit or dirty bank notes, ito ay may bahid ng dumi, lupaypay na, lukot o may matinding bakas ng pagkakatupi, may sulat, may mantsa, o kupas na ang imprenta (Unfit or dirty bank notes are those with dirt, crumpled, or with obvious traces of folds, with writings, stains or faded prints),” Manaois said.
BSP will retire all collected unfit notes and exchange these with new bank notes.
“Para maiwasan na maging unfit o dirty ang pera, huwag tupiin, gumamit ng mahabang wallet; para sa mga gumagawa ng payroll sa opisina, iwasang i-staple kasi pag tinanggal ang staple wire, yong butas ang magiging sanhi ng pagkasira; huwag susulatan o mamarkahan (In order to prevent the money from getting dirty or unfit, it should not be folded, use a long wallet; for those in charge with the payroll in the office, avoid attaching it with stapler because the holes it will bore will cause the damage on the bills; do not write or mark the money),” Manaois said as a reminder in keeping the integrity of bank notes.
Meanwhile, aside from the “Clean Note Policy”, BSP-Dagupan is also conducting a massive information drive on the New Generation Currency Coin Series composed of PHP10, PHP5, 25 cents, 5 cents and 1 cent, which are now in circulation.
“Ang goal ng BSP-Dagupan ay mapuntahan lahat ng munisipyo at ciudad. We invite all barangay captains and barangay treasurers, we present and discuss the new generation coins. Marami ang nagsasabi na confusing daw ang mga ito, hindi pa masyadong tanggap ng mga tao. Yong mga bata, ayaw nila yong 25-sentimo dahil ayaw daw tanggapin ng mga tricycle drivers at sa mga canteen. Sa mga may edad naman, ipinapalit nila agad ang 5 at 10 centavos dahil nakakalito daw (The goal of BSP-Dagupan is to go to all municipalities and cities. We invite all barangay captains and barangay treasurers, we present discuss the new generation coins. Many people say that the new coins are confusing; it is not yet well-accepted by people. The children do not like the 25 cents because they say the tricycle drivers and canteens do not accept it. For the older people, they exchange the 5 cents and 10 cents because these are confusing, they say,” Manaoais said.
She emphasized the importance of the role of local government unit leaders in echoing the advocacy of BSP to their constituents.
“Pero as expected, kapag ganitong Christmas season, heavy sa palitan ng pera na pang-aguinaldo (lalo na sa PHP20 at PHP50). Sa mga negosyo naman, all year round ay barya ang kanilang hinahanap, pangsukli (But it is expected that during Christmas season, people are exchanging their money to PHP20 and PHP50 to give as gifts. For the businessmen, they need coins all year round for change in their business establishments),” she added.
