Pre-2010 Notes to Remain in Circulation

From GMAnews.tv

BSP: 'Old' bills to remain in circulation for at least 3-4 years12/17/2010 |

Even as it started gradually introducing the new generation of bank notes, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas assured the public Friday that the old bills will remain good for at least three to four years.

In a radio interview, BSP corporate affairs director Fe dela Cruz said the present bills will be gradually phased out and their circulation may last even longer than three to four years, if the public so requests.

"The public should not worry about the value of the present bills. The BSP will have three to four years before deciding whether to nullify the old banknotes or not," she said in Filipino in an interview aired over dwIZ.

If in the end there will be strong clamor to retain the circulation of the old bills, the BSP shall consider requests for retention, she added.

The BSP introduced the new banknote designs Thursday at a launching rite in Malacañang in the presence President Benigno Aquino III.

Dela Cruz said the phasing in of the new designs and the phasing out of the old ones will be gradual, starting with the P20 bills, in time for Christmas.

"Starting today [Friday] the BSP will release the new P20 design to the banks because the P20 bills are traditionally given to children at Christmas," she said in Filipino.

"The distribution and phasing in will be gradual, so we ask the public to be patient," she added.

In the meantime, she said the BSP will continue to produce enough bills for circulation.

The six denominations — P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 — have new designs and security features, and present famous Philippine tourist attractions.