Security Features of the New Generation Currency (NGC)

Designing a currency entails more than just colors, drawings, and sketches. More
characteristics that are resistant to counterfeiting are required for currency. The designs
created by Filipino artists must be changed by the bank notary, a highly qualified artist in the
idea of money design. This is known as bank notarization.
A novel set of banknotes and coins was introduced in 1995. In 2009, the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas announced a comprehensive makeover of existing banknotes and coins
to increase security and durability. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo and Dr.
Ambeth Ocampo, Chairman of the National Historical Institute, are members of the
Numismatic Committee. The new banknote design highlights well-known Filipinos as well as
prominent natural marvels. Coins will also have Philippine national emblems. To ensure a
smooth transition from the New Design Series to the New Generation Currency (NGC) series,
the BSP purposefully retained some NDS features in the NGC, such as the size, predominant
colors, and featured personalities, except President Corazon Aquino's portrait, which is an
added portrait on the 500-piso note. On December 16, 2010, the BSP began issuing the first
batch of new banknotes. The BSP introduced upgraded NGC banknotes in 2020, which are
more attentive to the requirements of the elderly and visually challenged and incorporate
cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology. NGC and improved NGC banknotes are legal
currencies and can be used to purchase goods and services.

Security thread
The windowed security thread (WST) that runs vertically across the P100, P200, P500, and
P1,000 banknotes reveal the movement of patterns and color when viewed from different
angles. These threads have an indigenous weaving design and are imprinted with the
alphanumeric denominational value and "BSP" letters in a sequence. The thread diameter on
the P1,000 note has been extended from 4 millimeters to 5 millimeters. The width of the other
denominations remained unchanged at 4 millimeters.
Optically Variable Ink
When seen from different angles, the embossed "1,000" denomination value at the bottom
right of the front side of the note shifts color from green to magenta. A stylized Philippine flag
graphic on the P500 note shifts color from gold to green by the angle from which it is seen.
Tactile Marks
The newly upgraded banknotes now contain five pairs for P1,000, four pairs for P500, three
pairs for P200, two pairs for P100, and one pair for P50 of small horizontal bands imprinted in
intaglio at the extreme right and left edges of the note.
Enhanced Value Panel
The value panel in the upper left corner of both the P1,000 and P500 notes has been improved
by adding a rolling bar effect when tilted from left to right.

On April 2022, the BSP released the new 1000-piso polymer banknote. The BSP set out the
new 1000-piso polymer bill as smarter, cleaner, and stronger than the current paper banknote.
According to the BSP, the 1000-piso polymer employs modern technology, which boosts anti-
counterfeit measures. It also addresses public health and safety issues because it can be
sterilized with less chance of harm than paper banknotes. The redesigned currency uses less
water, electricity, and other resources, making it more ecologically friendly.
Sampaguita clear window, serial number, shadow thread, vertical clear window, metallic
features, blue iridescent figure, polymer sound straight, tactile dots, embossed printing,
soaring eagle, and increased value panel are among the security features on the 1000-peso
polymer notes. Meanwhile, the Sampaguita, south sea pearl, Tubbataha Reefs natural park,
and T'nalak weaving patterns are featured on the 1000-piso polymer currency.

Reference:
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. [accessed May 10, 2023]. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Coins and
Notes - New Generation Currency Banknotes. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/CoinsAndNotes/NewGenerationCurrencyBanknotes.aspx
#
GMA News Online. [July 29, 2020]. LOOK: BSP launches 'enhanced' new generation currency
banknotes. GMA News Online.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/749009/bsp-launches-enhanced-new-
generation-currency-banknotes/story/
PIA. [accessed May 10, 2023]. BSP introduces new polymer 1000-piso banknote. PIA.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/2022/04/07/bsp-introduces-new-polymer-1000-piso-banknote