In its 30th year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reaffirms its commitment to adopt global central banking standards and transition to a digital financial system while promoting price stability, financial stability, and an efficient payments and settlements system in the country.
Over the years, subsequent amendments to Republic Act (RA) No. 7653 or the New Central Bank Act have strengthened the BSP’s capacity to execute its primary goal of maintaining price stability that is conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The BSP’s consistent efforts to execute this mandate have guided individuals and businesses in making sound decisions on saving, borrowing, and investing with confidence on the power of the Philippine currency.
“Recent global and local events like the COVID-19 pandemic helped shape our perspective as central bankers,” said BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.
“While the technical nature of our work requires managing a delicate balance between inflation and growth, we also acknowledge our role in helping Filipinos access banking services, increase their financial literacy, and protect themselves from fraud and cybersecurity threats,” he added.
Governor Remolona is optimistic that the country is ready for a better digitalized financial landscape, given the increased use of digital payments in the country over the last five years.
“We consider these facets of central banking critical to inclusive and sustainable economic growth–where individuals in far-flung areas in the provinces are offered the same financial services as those living in Metro Manila or in any urbanized city,” he added.
According to the 2022 Status of Digital Payments BSP Report, the share in terms of volume of digital payments over total retail payments significantly increased to 42.1 percent from 30.3 percent in 2021.
Meanwhile, the share of digital payments in terms of value stood at 40.1 percent, a slight decline from 44.1 percent in 2021.
As a central bank that places the public at the center of its mandates and growing advocacies, the BSP continues to embark on innovative programs and initiatives meant to bring the institution closer to the Filipino people.
In April 2022, the BSP began the test circulation of the new 1000-Piso polymer banknotes.
These new banknotes use the latest technology to provide Filipinos with smarter, cleaner, and stronger bills that are more resistant to counterfeiting, more hygienic and sanitary, and longer-lasting than paper banknotes.
A joint initiative of the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program promotes the use and acceptance of digital payments in local markets, public transportation, and other establishments.
BSP also launched the Coin Deposit Machine (CoDM) Project that encourages the public to deposit their idle coins in the CoDMs and convert them into e-wallet credits or shopping vouchers. Recently implemented across the Greater Manila Area, the CoDM project aims to promote efficient coin recirculation in the country, address artificial coin shortages in certain areas, and ensure that only fit and legal tender currency is readily available for public use.
With the rise of digital banking and e-commerce, the BSP is rolling out its Check-Protect-Report (CPR) information drive to protect financial consumers from online scams and other fraudulent activities.
Financial Education Stakeholders Expo gathers over 1,000 advocates every year to foster multi-sectoral collaborations for financial education programs in the country.
