UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
The Central Bank recently announced the rollout of the new polymer banknotes series (₱500, ₱100 and ₱50), in addition to the previously released ₱1000 note, which was front-page news as well as meriting a massive two-page colored ad in national- circulation newspapers (must have cost hundreds of thousands pesos). The topic also trended in social media, arousing much interest and garnering hundreds of comments.
The new banknotes, which are legal tender, and therefore, of great interest to all, are said to be longer lasting (up to seven years) than paper notes, more hygienic, have more security features to prevent counterfeiting, and also have “accessibility features to help the elderly and persons with visual impairment.”
The new notes did away with the portraits of heroes and past presidents, but now boasts of the biodiversity of Philippine flora and fauna. Not a few are lamenting that we are forgetting “those who have fallen during the night” and asking if we really want a country devoid of heroes. They have a valid point there, since we Filipinos do have short memories.
Setting aside that point (which I’m sure will fester during this current politically charged election season), let’s examine the Central Bank claims about these new banknotes. Looking at the notes’ much-touted symbols of national pride, we can’t help but notice the absence of our beloved Waling-Waling (Vanda sanderiana), the queen of all orchids. Instead, what is featured is the sampaguita flower (Jasminum sambac), which is not even an endemic species but native to India and other neighboring countries. The fact that it is still the national flower of the Philippines in spite of it being foreign speaks volumes of our colonial mentality and lack of awareness of what is ours.
The Waling-Waling has given rise to a burgeoning orchid industry elsewhere (Hawaii, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan) but has sadly been neglected at home. It is time the Waling Waling is named the national flower instead of the foreign sampaguita.
The new notes may be longer lasting, it being made of polymer plastic, they are not as environment-friendly as their paper counterparts. Even when destroyed, their plastic nature means they are not biodegradable and will persist for hundreds of years in the environment.
These new notes are said to be more hygienic than paper notes, since viruses and other bugs “do not live long” on their surfaces compared to paper notes.
The two-page ads showcase 15 security features of the “First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series.” I can’t wait to see and feel these new features! No, really, we should be able to appreciate how hard it is to counterfeit these new notes. But we know, counterfeiters are also smart and will soon figure out how to make reasonable facsimiles of these notes. But while they haven’t, let’s enjoy the security features these new banknotes sport.
What’s more interesting are the comments elicited by this social media-trending event. Pundits are saying that the ₱1000 note should have featured a turtle instead of an eagle, so that it wouldn’t fly off your hands the moment you grasp it. With a turtle, it will at least take a while before it can amble off at its leisurely pace. It speaks of the current economic climate of inflation and how quickly we spend our hard-earned money.
Another commented that while it is nice to hold new banknotes, many can’t even touch the bills, since they don’t have the wherewithal to earn them.
Others decry the loss of the ₱20 bills, which were replaced by the heavy coins that are hard to carry around.
While you can’t please all of the people all of the time, we should at least take care of the more pressing issues (inflation, corruption, joblessness, poverty) more than just changing banknotes.
But this is a season for counting our blessings. So, as the President said, the advent of the new banknotes will “add excitement to our kids when they come and ask for their Aguinaldo.” Merry Christmas, everyone!