Philippines recently issued a new 1000 peso bill where the country's national mighty eagle is featured. The new design of the peso bill made a lot of Filipinos disappointed because the national heroes have been removed by the BSP or Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. We all know that every country's heroes has significant value and sentiments to the whole people who are living inside the nation. Why did the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas removed them?

The new 1000 peso bill was out in April 2022. It is made of Polymer banknote and they showcased the country's national bird Philippine Mighty Eating Eagle. The national heroes are replaced by the eagle.

Who are the three faces from the old 1000 peso bank note?

They are the Filipino World War II heroes that carries a huge gratitude from the country. These are Jose Abad Santos, Vicente Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda. In fact, the University of the Philippines disapproved the removal of national heroes from the bank note. They said the currency is the vital reminder of what our national heroes did to save our country during the World War II. To keep them alive and relevant.

Thirty years ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued a banknote where the portraits of World War II heroes. The three Patriots are the forefront of the resistance force against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Lim represents the military, Escoda for women and Santos for the government. This is to pay tribute for the heroic and bravery they did for the country. However after three decades of having their faces printed on the paper bills, the BSP has decided to removed them from peso bill and replaced them with a Philippine Eagle.

What's new in the Philippine 1000 peso bank note?

• It is not easy to counterfeit

The bank have uses a polymer banknotes making it difficult to counterfeit.

• It can be sanitized

Due to the pandemic the people have been sanitizing money constantly making the bills deteriorating but this new Polymer bank note can be sanitized with less damage. In fact it is an hygienic alternative.

• It is environmental friendly

The polymer bank note uses smaller carbon foot print compared to regular paper banknotes. The production uses less water, energy and other resources.

The Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle or the monkey eagle is actually an endangered species here in Philippines. It is only found in the Philippines and it's a rare bird. Growing the population of the bird is actually difficult, it takes 5-7 years for these birds to mature sexually and the female only lay single egg every two years. The bird is quite large at its size and length. It is also larger in terms of weight and bulk. One of the biggest culprit why this bird is going extinct is due to deforestation. Killing a Philippine Eagle is also punishable by the law and you can get imprisoned for up to 12 years with heavy fines.

Printing a money with a national native animal at the back is also done in other countries like New Zealand, Australia and other certain parts of the world. For me the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas chose to do the same thing in order for our country to be recognized by one glance in our money bill. We know the currency represents our whole country and the people living on it. Even the government received a disappointed feedback from citizens, the polymers are deemed to be more durable as they can lasts 2.5 times to 4 times compared to paper money. It is also a big advantage that it is water and dirt resistant. Most all, it is not prone to counterfeits.

What can you say about the new 1000 Philippine Peso Bill? Approved or Disapproved?

April 24, 2022

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