BSP Wins International Award for 1000-Piso Polymer Banknote Public Engagement Program

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 on 16 May 2023. 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.

The central bank conducted stakeholder consultations and disseminated information via social media, webpages, press releases, roadshows, training sessions, and audiovisual presentations to generate public awareness and appreciation of the polymer banknote launched in April 2022.

The 1000-Piso polymer banknote was also a finalist for IACA's 2023 "Best New Banknote or Banknote Series" award, which was given to Bank Indonesia's 2022 Rupiah Banknote Series. Recently, the BSP's 1000-Piso polymer banknote was named by the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) as the "2022 Banknote of the Year."

For more information on the 1000-Piso polymer banknote, visit: https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/CoinsAndNotes/PolymerBanknote.aspx​ ​

Photo shows Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Managing Director Rosabel B. Guerrero (center) received the award for the BSP. Also in photo are (from left) IACA Executive Vice President Brian Lang, Central Bank of Barbados Deputy Director Alvon Moore, Royal Canadian Mint Chief Commercial Officer Tom Froggatt, and IACA Executive Director Marci Chavez​