The communication campaign of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the 1000-Piso polymer banknote was recognized as the “Best New Currency Public Engagement Program” by the International Association for Currency Affairs (IACA) at the 2023 Excellence in Currency Awards held in Mexico City.
The award is conferred on institutions for exceptional initiatives designed to inform stakeholders about new banknotes or coins using multiple communication platforms, media, or formats.
The BSP’s 1000-Piso polymer banknote public engagement program edged out finalists from the Royal Canadian Mint and the Central Bank of Barbados.
With the tagline “smarter, cleaner, and stronger,” the BSP’s communication campaign highlights the advantages and benefits of polymer against paper banknotes. “Smarter” because polymer banknotes can accommodate more sophisticated security features against counterfeiting; “cleaner” because bacteria and viruses die faster on polymer due to its smoother surface; and “stronger” because polymer lasts at least two to five times longer than paper banknotes, which also helps reduce printing costs over the long run.
