BSP marks World Wildlife Day, supports biodiversity conservation via polymer banknotes

Wildlife photographer Floyd Bermejo and his photo of the Visayan leopard cat (right) featured in the 50 Piso-polymer banknote

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) commemorates World Wildlife Day by highlighting the role of Filipinos as stewards of the country’s natural resources. This message is reflected in the First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series.

To raise awareness on biodiversity conservation, the polymer banknote series feature protected wildlife and rich flora across the archipelago. The 1000 Piso note carries the Philippine eagle and the sampaguita. The 500 Piso shows the Visayan spotted deer and the Acanthephippium mantinianum. The 100 Piso highlights the Palawan peacock-pheasant and the Ceratocentron fesselii. Lastly, the 50 Piso depicts the Visayan leopard cat and Vidal's lanutan. 
 
Wildlife photographer Floyd Bermejo, who captured the image of the leopard cat “Kyle” featured in the 50 Piso-polymer bill, as well as the Philippine eagle in the 1000 Piso-polymer note, pointed out, “People don’t protect what they don’t know.”
 
Since 2008, the Visayan leopard cat has been classified as a “vulnerable” species due to habitat loss and declining populations. Found only in the islands of Negros, Panay, and Cebu, the nocturnal, tree-climbing feline survives mainly in sugar plantations, feeding on birds and rodents.
 
Bermejo hopes that the image of Kyle will spark greater interest in protecting the species and its habitat. That is why he donated his photos of Kyle and the Philippine eagle for use in the polymer banknotes.
 
“That’s the ultimate goal of conservation photographers—to highlight our species para makita ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino na may ganyan pala tayo and that we need to protect their habitats. Para makita naman sila ng future generations, not only in photos or banknotes, but also in real life,” he said.