MANILA – Filipinos prefer to use crisp new bills when giving money as a gift, so with the holidays approaching the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has taken the opportunity to urge people to take better care of the clean, brand-new bills they will be getting as Christmas pasalubong.
The BSP usually begins preparing for the holiday demand for new peso bills as early as the start of the year, so that they will be available by the last quarter.
“Tradisyon na iyon na pagdating ng holidays, Christmas season, alam ng Bangko Sentral na ang mga tao ay kailangang bigyan ng mga malulutong na salapi,” said Maja Gratia Malic, deputy director of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ currency issue and integrity office.
“Unang-una, malinis. At makintab at maganda, no, hindi mabaho,” she added.
Malic said that you can ask for crisp new bills from your bank.
According to the BSP, when it comes to new bills as pasalubong, the demand is greater for lower denominations such as P20, P50, and P100 bills.
The BSP also urges Filipinos to take good care of the bills, saying that just like any product they have a lifespan.
“Pag nilukot-lukot mo siya, start na iyan. Magbe-break ang fibers. Lalo na pag nabasa ng tubig, magsi-seep in ang tubig, ito na nag magdi-disintegrate. Masho-shorten ang lifespan ng pera natin,” Malic said.
The BSP said that having more bills circulating in good condition helps spot counterfeits and helps save on money on printing new bills. (GMA News)
