WITH more and more P1,000 polymer notes being distributed and coming out from banks’ ATMs, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that even if folded, establishments and the public should accept it as it is a legal tender.

The advise was issued by the BSP, along with the DTI, DILG, and LTRFB.

Earlier reports said that several people and establishments refused to accept the folded plastic bills over fears that it can no longer be used. 

“Kesyo may tupi raw ang polymer, keso may lukot daw po, hindi po totoo yan. Dapat pong tanggapin, pinalabas po ng BSP ang advisory na yan para maliwanagan po ang ating mamayan,” Nenette Malabrigo, Bank Office V of the Currency Policy and Integrity Department of the BSP said.

Likewise Malabrigo warned that non-compliance could lead to a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

In their advice, the BSP added that government agencies already made hotlines and email addresses to which the consumers can report establishments/persons who will not accept the folded notes.

Consumers can report non-compliance to the following hotlines and emails: BSP e-mail address: [email protected]; LTFRB Hotline: 1342 / Landline: 8529-7111 / E-mail address: [email protected]; DTI Hotline: 1-384 / E-mail address: [email protected] 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Retailers Association or PRA noted that they would inform their  members about the advisory and instruct them to receive folded P1,000 polymer bills.

But the BSP still advised the public to be careful in handling the polymer notes, not to write anything on it nor iron it to remove the creases.

The BSP earlier launched the P1,000 polymer bill, which it said could last longer and is more hygienic compared to paper money.