The Central Bank of the Philippines has issued guidelines for a temporary relief measure that allows cash servicing units of banks not registered in the Philippine Payment and Settlement System Plus and/or the Integrated Currency Management System to withdraw currency directly from the central bank's regional offices or branches during calamity and emergency situations. The measure takes effect immediately and remains available until 31 December 2027. Access applies when a state of calamity covers the city or municipality where the cash servicing unit is located, from the resumption of work during the declaration until five working days after it is lifted, or when work is suspended in the area because of calamities, related incidents, or other emergency situations that significantly disrupt banking operations, within five working days of work resuming. Before a first withdrawal, a bank's head office must submit authorization documents for each cash servicing unit, including a notarized board resolution setting approval rules and withdrawal limits, designated approvers and authenticators, and specimen signatures. Complete submissions are approved within three working days under the regular process or as fast as the same day for expedited requests received by 12:00 noon. Approved units may send currency requests to the relevant regional office or branch in advance and do not need to post requirements in the Cash Service Alliance Portal. Withdrawals are subject to existing service fees under the Manual of Regulations for Banks, but cancellation penalties do not apply under the temporary measure. Approved authorizations take effect on the next working day for regular submissions or the same day for expedited requests, remain valid until 31 December 2027 unless updated, and any discrepancy in withdrawn currency must be reported within three working days.

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