The Central Bank of the Philippines received Central Banking’s Currency Manager of the Year award, recognising its work to maintain an adequate supply of quality currency for the country’s growing economy, with the polymer banknote series cited as a key initiative. Assistant Governor Mary Anne Lim accepted the award in London on 11 June 2025 following its announcement on 20 March 2025. Central Banking also highlighted BSP cooperation agreements with Banque de France and Germany’s Bundesdruckerei, signed in October and November 2024, covering payment and currency management systems, security, and production. The award referenced ongoing collaboration with Note Printing Australia on the Philippines’ first polymer notes, following the 1,000-peso polymer banknote issued in 2022 and the release of 500-, 100- and 50-peso polymer notes in December 2024, with paper and polymer banknotes continuing to be produced in parallel. The polymer series was positioned as offering enhanced anti-counterfeiting security, improved cleanliness and environmental performance, and a lifespan two to five times longer than paper notes. In messages linked to the award, Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. reiterated that physical cash remains important and that the BSP aims to keep it sufficient and trusted, while Lim pointed to collaboration with other central banks and government-owned printworks as supporting BSP currency management. The BSP also cited recent recognition from the International Association of Currency Affairs for its polymer banknote series and its Coin Deposit Machine project, and an A-rating for Governor Remolona from Global Finance magazine.

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