DPWH’s lack of integrity on Photoshop fiasco

It has been a week after the most embarrassing photo of 3 officials (photoshopped and fabricated) circulated the cyberspace. Now, the photo concept has become viral with different versions for everyone to see.

The three DPWH officials namely, Undersecretary Romeo Momo, Director Rey Tagudando and District Engineer Mikunug Macud became instant celebrities and a trending topic in different social networking sites. The reason behind the popularity that turned out as a negative publicity? A faked photo allegedly posted by one of the agency’s staffer/ photographer.

In the photo released by the DPWH last week, it showed 3 of its officials conducting a survey/inspection in Roxas Boulevard after it was destructively hit by a typhoon. But instead of gaining praises from netizens, the said photo drew floods of criticisms for having been allegedly “Photoshopped”.

Even if the three officials were actually there and were doing their inspection, what made people criticize the post was the fact that DPWH faked the documentation of their work just so they can have the public’s approving nod. Regrettably, it turned out the other way around and netizens were just as mad even questioning the agency’s credibility especially when bigger projects with hefty budgets are at stake.

Some commented that the DPWH need not post how they are hunkering down to work. If they can fabricate a simple photo, how much more a government document.

Meanwhile, the chief of the DPWH Public Information Division, posted an apology on their Facebook account saying the photo “was not cleared yet before the staff posted it. But was already replaced.”

The three officials whose photo was publicized in cyberspace, since then, have appeared in different set-ups and have been subjected to ridicule. Some of which with Lolong the croc, as targets of the Angry Birds game, blond UP cheer dancers, as men in the moon, part of the Matrix and many more.

By : Jhoanna Mae Pareja

New Philippine Peso Bills

Why is the BSP changing the designs of our money?
As a matter of practice, central banks regularly change the designs of their money – whether coins or banknotes – to guard against counterfeiters. By making it very difficult and costly for counterfeiters to produce exact copies of our money, we protect the integrity of our currency against criminals. While other central banks redesign their banknotes every 10 years on average, our present currency series has been in place for about 25 years now.

How will BSP prevent the spread of counterfeit or fake money?

The BSP has upgraded the security features in all of our new generation banknotes to make it easier for the public to protect themselves from receiving fake money. The BSP will continue to mount a nationwide information campaign to educate our people on how to tell genuine banknotes from counterfeits.
When will the new currency be available?

The new currency designs will be available starting this month, nearly three years after initial discussions on a new generation currency series started. We estimate that it will also take about three years to develop the new generation coin series, from concept to actual delivery of the new coins.
Will there be changes in the size of our new banknotes?

The size of the new banknotes has been retained and will be the same as the present currency notes.
What will happen to the existing currency in circulation?

The present banknotes will remain in circulation and will continue to be accepted as legal tender for at least three more years. Based on previous currency retirement or demonetization program of the BSP, this will give enough time for the public to make a full transition to our new generation currency. A separate schedule will be followed for coins. Appropriate announcements will be released before and after the introduction of our new banknotes and coins to guide the public and ensure a smooth transition to our new currency.
How does the BSP select new designs and security features for our new generation currency notes?

The BSP has a Numismatic Committee that initiates the new design studies and proposes upgraded security features for consideration by its Monetary Board which in turn submits these to the President for final approval. In the case of the new generation currency, the BSP invited Filipino design groups to interpret concepts integrating icons, places and events of national, historical and cultural significance. Once the selection process was completed, the Monetary Board submitted the new design proposals for the final approval of the President of the Philippines.
What are the design elements of our new banknotes?

Our new banknotes pay tribute to Filipinos who played significant roles at various moments of our nation’s history. In addition, world heritage sites and iconic natural wonders of the Philippines are also proudly highlighted.

What are the considerations in the selection of security features for our new currency?

The BSP does research and benchmarking on security features that are available from global suppliers and are being used by other central banks. The choice of security features allow for four levels of authentication ranging from simple visual inspection to the more complex laboratory and forensic examination of suspected counterfeits. In particular, these are:

• Level I : Security features which can be easily recognized by the public without use of special instrument. These are the “look, feel, tilt” elements in the notes such as watermark, security thread, security fibers, and others.
• Level II: Security features recognizable by professional cash handlers/bank tellers with the use of magnifying lens or ultraviolet light. Examples are fluorophosporescent features, security fibers, and microprinting.
• Level III: The hidden or covert security features reserved for the use of the Bangko Sentral.
• Level IV: Forensic security features for the use of law enforcers in testifying whether a banknote is genuine or counterfeit. These are detectable at specialized laboratories.

Did we use polymer or plastic in our money like some countries?

No, we will not use plastic or polymer in the production of our banknotes. What we will use is durable paper made principally of 80% cotton and 20% abaca in support of Filipino abaca farmers. We have been using Philippine abaca as it has improved the durability and extended the life span of our banknotes. Other countries including Japan also use abaca on their banknotes. To make sure that our suppliers use Philippine abaca, we require them to submit shipping documents that indicate the volume of abaca purchased from accredited Filipino abaca suppliers. As a matter of policy, we have made the use of Philippine abaca mandatory for suppliers of our banknote paper.