CL-2025-009: Reminder on the Proper Handling of Philippine Banknotes

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BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
Subject Reminder on the Proper Handling of Philippine Banknotes The Bangko Sentral rig Pilipinas (BSP) has officially launched the First Philippine Polymer IFPP) Banknote Series on 19 December 2024. which includes the previously issued 1000-Piso denomination and introduces new designs of 500-. 100-, and 50. Piso denominations. The FPP banknote series shall circulate alongside the existing New Generation Currency INGC)' series paper banknotes. OFFICE OF THE DEPurv GOVERNOR I REGIONAL OPERAnoNS AND ADVOCACY SECTOR CIRCULAR LETrER No. cL-2025-009 All BSP-Supervised Financial Institutions In support of the BSP Clean Note and Coin Policy and to prolong the lifespan of both polymer and paper substrate Philippine banknotes. the BSP reminds all BSP￾Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFls) to avoid unnecessary writings and/or placing marks or stamps anywhere on the banknotes' surface. According to Section I'll of the Manua of Regulations for Banks and Section tiltQ of the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions. banknotes with writings, marks. or stamps are considered unfit for circulation' and should be surrendered to the BSP for retirement. Moreover, the BSP reiterates its warning to the public that the willful defacement, mutilation, tearing. burning or destruction of Philippine banknotes and coins are punish able by a fine of riot more than PHP20.000.00 and/or imprisonment of riot more than five (5) years, under Presidential Decree No. 247 (Annex A). Further, all BSFls are enjoined to promote the proper handling of Philippine banknotes among their personnel and clients/customers. by adhering to the following practices IAnnex B):
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I. Handle banknotes with care and respect to extend their lifespan;
Z. Keep banknotes clean;
3. Avoid writing or marking on them;
4. Refrain from crumpling, tearing, cutting, or puncturing them: and
5. Protect them from chemicals, fire. staples. adhesives, and high heat, such as
from ironing.
For information. guidance, and strict implementation.
I^I. _. F^on^ry 2025
' Including the Enhanced NGC (eNGC)
' Replacement and fademptfon of legal tender Ph, 74:, pine currency notes and coll. ,s considered inut, btedor unfit forc/?cubt/bn. a. 12/1ttsbad{ysoi/ed^:^ontoinmatedanc, ,'or with wr, tings even, fit has proper fri^ orsi2'ing. BERNAD De C ULO-PUYAT ernor

Presidential Decree n0.2
Anti-Mutilation Law
-it ,hall b. unlawful for any person to willfully deface, inU*ildfe, ledr, burn Or destroy, In any moriner whoisoever, currency notes und coins issued by the Control Bank of the Philippines; Grid -any person who shall violoie this Decree $1,011, upon conylction, be punished by a fine of riot inc, e than PI, p20,000 and/or by imprisonment of riot more than five yec, rs. Improper handling of banknotes and corns
Annex A
Writing or inch'rig orig marking
E..'70sing to chemicals
Etcessiue crumpling or folding
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Wilyitl bt, ming
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Tearing, cutting, or peno, atton
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Stapling orplaetng an dartes, t^

Proper handling of banknotes and coins
The coun, ,y s banknotes---both paper and polymer and coins are more than just r^Icy; they syn^lire national heritage and p, ,de Handling Ihem with respec, horrors our heritage and the natural Ireaa. ,res they deptc, TIPS on how to properly handle bankri"OS and coin. Handle banknotes with res^I to glend ItsI 111.3pan
Annex B
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Itsep banknotes and coins clean.
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• EXchange unused coins at banks
  to maintain actire currency lion
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  Do riot crumple. teat CUI, or pLinc, u, e them ^ I^^^ A\oldwfi"rig" marking on them , \ Keep them away from chemicals;. fire staples adh^Hes ami h^h heat such as from 1.0nlng. .,,