MANILA – Philippine paper banknotes featuring the country’s heroes will “remain in circulation” alongside new polymer bills that will be released soon, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) clarified.
The BSP made the statement over the weekend after they gained flak over the design of the new banknotes, where the images of the national heroes were replaced by flora and fauna.
“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reiterates that Philippine paper banknotes featuring the country’s heroes remain in circulation,” the central bank said.
“The banknotes with historical figures will circulate alongside the newly launched ‘First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series’, which showcases the country’s rich biodiversity,” it added.
The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) recently expressed disapproval over the BSP’s decision, questioning the implications of omitting national heroes from banknotes.
“For more than two decades, the dictator’s family has been hard at work trying to rewrite history and erase from our collective memory the heroes who bravely fought for our freedom,” ATOM said.
However, the central bank reiterated in their response that they have always featured the country’s heroes and natural wonders in banknotes and coins.
“Featuring different symbols of national pride on our banknotes and coins reflects numismatic dynamism and artistry and promotes appreciation of the Filipino identity,” the BSP said./PN
