BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas urged the public to be more vigilant against counterfeit money circulating nationwide.
Ramon Netto S. Gervacio, Bank officer II, of the BSP’s Regional Economic Affairs, based in Davao City, said they have received reports that fake bills have been circulating in Cagayan de Oro City and in the province of Misamis Oriental.
Yesterday, Gervacio, along with Rosalyn B. Embrado, BSP senior research specialist, guested at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s weekly program ‘Meet the Press’ as part of their nationwide information campaign on counterfeit money.
During the campaign, Gervacio said, they will be giving lectures to all tellers at the malls in the city.
For her part, Embrado said they would also extend these lectures to vendors at the Cogon Public Market, eateries, and other small businesses in the city.
However, Gervacio said the volume of fake money circulating in the city has not yet reached alarming levels. This, he pointed out, was because the new banknotes in circulation feature more “solid security features.”
“Ang problema lang kung malipat gyud ‘ta. Makalusot gyud (ang peke),” he said.
The two BSP staff taught local reporters the two levels of how to detect fake money. Level 1 is called touch, look, and tilt.
“Kung hamis gani (ang) kwarta, mura’g bond paper ― sigurado peke na kana. Samtang ang ang real nga kwarta imung ma feel nga medyo dahol sa imong mga kamot,” Embrado told reporters.
While Level 2 entails using equipment such as Ultraviolet light and the magnifying glass, said Gervacio.
“The people should be educated about fake money,” he said.
