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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was asked to delay the release of new generation coins until April.
The central bank intended to release the new coins on Jan. 18.
The delay would give the BSP “enough time” to inform the public about the New Generation Currency (NGC), particularly the new coins, said Sen. Nancy Binay.
It would also “give everyone enough time to prepare for the changes,” she said.
Last month Binay already urged the central bank to defer the distribution of new P5 coins, which she said were difficult to distinguish from the current P1 coins.
“Concerns raised over the NGCs, especially the new P5 coins, are all legitimate,” she said. “What we’re asking the BSP is to first elevate the level of awareness of the public through mass media and to use all information channels until April.”
According to Binay, the newly designed coins will be incompatible with coin-operated machines, specifically the Metro Rail Transit/Light Rail Transit (MRT/LRT) Beep card’s ticket vending machines (TVMs).
Merchants claimed that it would take at least three months to update the firmware of the TVMs and other vending machines, which are usually reconfigured overseas, she said.
“Huwag naman sanang maging unreasonable ang BSP,” said Binay. “The P5 coins directly impact commuters, MRT/LRT riders, sari-sari stores.”
They also affect senior citizens and those with poor vision “because of their confusing appearance,” she said.
“May malaking epekto ang mga bagong barya lalo na sa bus at jeep,” said Binay. “Dahil nga sa mas malamang magkakalituhan sa panunukli, pwede silang malugi o iyong mga pasahero nila ang maperwisyo.”
She added: “Takaw-aksidente din dahil prone to distractive driving. The drivers’ eyes should be on the road because it’s their job to convey their passengers safely. Hindi nila trabaho ang mag-sort out ng coins.”
Binay encouraged the BSP to spread awareness on the new coins via posters in markets, tricycle and bus terminals, eateries, vending machines, and other establishments./PN
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