CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reminded residents here of the proper handling of peso notes and coins.

Hermogenes Buenaflor Jr., Bank Officer IV of BSP Mindanao Regional Office, said banknotes should be kept clean, stored without folding, and kept away from fire, water, or any other matter that may cause damage.

Buenaflor told mallgoers and participants to the BSP Piso Caravan in SM CDO Uptown, July 24, that any person who willfully mutilates or destroys currency notes and coins will be fined not more than P20,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than five years. 

Such punishment he said is provided under Presidential Decree No. 247 or the Anti-Mutilation Law.

Among the prohibited acts under the law are writing or putting marks on banknotes; tearing, burning, or destruction, in any manner, of the currency; excessive folding or crumpling of the peso notes; exposing banknotes or coins to chemicals; and stapling or putting on adhesives to peso notes and coins.

"Bawal nating i-mutilate ng sadya ang pera. Bawal nating sulatan ng 'wanted textmate', bawal nating punitin, at bawal nating sunugin (we must not deliberately mutilate money. We are not allowed to write 'wanted textmate' in the bills, we are not allowed to tear it, and we are prohibited to burn it)," he reiterated. (APB/PIA-10)