Philippines' New Generation Bank Notes

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Gunigundo explains to Kuya Daniel during his guesting on the program Get it Straight with Daniel Razon aired over UNTV Channel last December 22, 2010. Gunigundo stood by the BSP's position that the new bank notes are without errors, amidst criticisms on some of its designs particularly on the 1,000 and 500 peso bills.

Gunigundo: “On the matter of the map of the Philippines, our bank notes used an artist's rendition or abstraction of the Philippine map that cannot be expected to reflect all of our islands and the precise coordinates of each site. The BSP’s intention is to indicate the general location of the world heritage sites and iconic natural wonders”

 by Agent Searchlight

The drawing of a Philippine map together with Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park at the reverse side of the 1,000-peso bill, draws criticisms like those from Jon Villasper who is a cartographer (Map Maker). Villasper insists that the reef’s location was misdirected around 400 kilometers and that the Batanes Group of Islands is missing based on the map.       

Also, The portrait of the Blue-naped Parrot, also known as the Philippine Green Parrot (Locally known as Pikoy) at the back side of the 500-peso bill has errors according to Villasper. Instead of red, the beak was wrongly painted in yellow, while the tail feathers beneath is green instead of yellow as examined by Villasper who is also a member of a local bird watching club.

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