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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) yesterday unveiled the enhanced Philippine banknotes under the New Generation Currency (NGC) series which was launched in 2010.
Benjamin Diokno, BSP Governor, said the enhanced banknotes are equipped with the “latest anti-counterfeiting technology and embedded with tactile marks that will make it easier for the elderly and persons with disabilities to differentiate each denomination.”
“Central banks regularly change the design and security features of currency to protect its integrity every 10 years, on average,” Diokno said.
“To further promote inclusivity and integrity in our currency, the BSP also took an opportunity to further improve our banknotes as part of global best practices and, at the same time, improve on its design and security features,” Diokno said.
To further refine on the current series’ design, the BSP added short horizontal lines–tactile marks–that may be touched and felt at the right side of the banknotes.
There will be one pair of these lines for the 50-Piso, two pairs for the 100-Piso, three for the 200-Piso, four for the 500-Piso, and five for the 1000-Piso.
Diokno said this is to assist the elderly and the visually impaired identify banknotes and distinguish one denomination from another.
All these banknotes also have three-dimensional and holographic features. In addition, the 1000-Piso and the 500-Piso banknotes feature design elements that use optically variable ink, which enables change in color when viewed at a different angle.
These features will make the higher denominations more difficult to counterfeit.
Diokno said the improvements highlight the country’s rich culture by featuring indigenous Filipino weaves on the windowed security thread of the 100-Piso, 200-Piso, 500-Piso and 1000-Piso banknotes.
Diokno stressed, however, that the NGC banknotes without the enhanced features will remain legal tender and shall co-exist with the abovementioned enhanced banknotes.
The enhanced notes will be released next week.
