BSP releases new design for 5-peso coin, introduces 20-peso coin

The revamped 5-peso coin would be nonagon-shaped, while the new 20-peso coin would have two-toned bronze and silver hues, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSO) in a 24 Oras report by Lei Alviz.

"'Yung sa five peso, enhanced [at] binago namin ang kanyang hugis para distinct siya at makilala siya ng publiko, hindi nakakalito. Nine sides so nonagon," said Engr. Dahlia Luna, the senior asisstant governor of the BSP Security Plant Complex.

She also explained that the BSP decided to change the 20-peso bill into a coin to lengthen its "life in the market." Just like the paper bill, the 20-peso coin would feature the face of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon.

"Kung papalitan mo siya ng coin dahil [ang] coin, made of metal right? So mas mahaba yung kanyang life at kahit gamitin sa palengke, hindi siya mas madaling masira," Luna said.

The BSP also announced that it would roll out enhanced features in all Philippine bank notes next year.

These enhancements and updated designs came more than a year after the BSP introduced the New Generation Currency (NGC) coins to the public.

The NGC coins received mixed reactions from the public.

A jeepney driver complained that the five-peso coin looked exactly like the one-peso coin.

"Oo, [nalilito ako]. Lalo na po pag yung mga nagbabayad sabay sabay po kasi hindi mo kaagad ma-ano yung piso sa limang piso. Medyo parehas lang po nang laki. Tsaka lalo na mahirap po siya sa gabi," he said.

Enrico, a fishball vendor, also pointed out that the size of the current 5-peso coin was similar to that of the 1-peso coin.

"Dapat yung limang piso, 'di ganun pareho ng size ng piso... Nakakalitong isukli," he said. — Angelica Y. Yang/DVM, GMA News