Polymer Banknotes for the Philippines to Release in Q1 2025, Featuring Animals

https://business.inquirer.net/494140/new-polymer-banknotes-coming-in-2025

“The BSP said the new polymer banknotes were targeted to be released in the first quarter of 2025. The paper-based bills will cocirculate with the new banknotes.

The central bank hinted at the upcoming launch of “smarter, cleaner, stronger” peso bills in a social media post—which suggested that the design of P50, P100, P200, and P500 polymer banknotes might also feature animals that are endemic to the Philippines like the P1,000 bills.

…

The central bank said the new polymer notes would only feature endemic animals and plants.”

On “X” (formerly Twitter), the BSP made the following statement:

"The polymer series does not include the 200-peso and 20-peso denominations.

The 20-peso New Generation Currency banknotes are currently being phased out of circulation following the introduction of the 20-peso NGC coin.

Meanwhile, the discontinuation of the 200-peso New Generation Currency banknote was approved in 2021 due to its low usage since its launch in 2010.

The 200-peso NGC banknote will remain legal tender until it is no longer fit for circulation. The BSP ensures the continued availability of other denominations of the banknote."

The BSP calls has given the series the name "First Philippine Polymer (”FPP") banknote series."

I am very curious where the 50, 100 and 500 Piso notes – at least the first batch – have been printed. In Australia like all the 1000 Piso polymer notes or in the Philippines. Which would be a first.

First off, thanks for sharing this announcement.

I am very curious where the 50, 100 and 500 Piso notes – at least the first batch – have been printed.

I believe they'll be produced (or are being produced) in Germany.  That's what I took from the article/link provided.  For the New Generation (current) series (20 pesos to 500 pesos), notes were first produced in France (2010 to 2012) & only produced in the Philippines in 2013 or 2014.  It's likely that the first 2 years of production will be in Germany & after that, the Filipino printers will get up-to-speed, or take over the polymer production (if history is any lesson).  The interesting thing about this type of banknote issue (release to the public) is that the new notes will literally trickle into circulation alongside the current paper series. 

This was what happened between 2010-2012 as I asked many locals who never saw the New Generation series until 2013.   Instead, what they used (more often/commonly) was the older series (printed up to 2012) rather than the New Generation series (eg: 20 Pesos printed in France). 

First of all, Philippine banknotes are a very interesting and complex subject. 

Secondly, the BSP likes to deeply “hide” information about production of current notes on their website. Well, at least it is published at all.

Thirdly, I think, the BSP likes to overstates local banknote production and understates sales from outside although they reveal this occasionally.

During the last couple of years, the BSP ordered several denominations from foreign printers.

Example:

--A contract was awarded to Giesecke&Devrient in September 2023 to print 200,000,000 notes of 500-Piso New Generation Currency Outsourced Finished Banknotes with Enhanced Security Features and Tactile Marks.

--In March 2024, the BSP put out another tender for 500 Piso banknotes with tactile marks. This tender is for 380,000,000 notes. I haven't found out yet which printer won the tender. As with the G&D contract I think it's paper notes, not polymer.

--One billion polymer 1000 Piso banknotes were ordered in Australia. This is the second batch after the initial 500,000,000 that were printed in Australia.

--In July 2023, the BSP awarded a contract to print 150,000,000 50-Peso “Enhanced New Generation Currency Outsourced Finished Banknotes” to DeLaRue

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/930435/bsp-unveils-new-polymer-banknotes/story/

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/money/other/bsp-unveils-new-polymer-banknotes/ar-AA1w9H7J#

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/money/economy/marcos-unveils-first-ph-polymer-banknotes/ar-AA1w9Qa6#

“But for the new polymer banknotes, the P500 will have the Visayan spotted deer, the P100 will boast the Palawan peacock-pheasant, and the P50 will showcase the Visayan leopard cat. ”

Here is the BSP's official website regarding the new Polymer Banknote series

https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/CoinsAndNotes/PolymerBanknote.aspx

Linzmayer (The Banknote Book) reports that they are already out. Is this correct?