MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) plans to add Braille functionality to banknotes to benefit around 2.5 million visually impaired Filipinos as it continues to support the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have weak vision.
In July last year, the BSP introduced enhanced tactile marks in Philippine banknotes to aid the elderly and the visually impaired in identifying denominations.
“Rest assured the BSP is committed to continuously engage the sector and better respond to the needs of PWDs,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.
“Empowering vulnerable sectors has always been an underlying objective of the BSP’s efforts. For this reason, we are stepping up our financial inclusion efforts to ensure financial services are within easy reach for all Filipinos, including PWDs,” he said.
BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier earlier reminded banks to strictly comply with laws and regulations against discriminatory practices toward PWDs.
Fonacier said BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) should take into account the needs of PWDs, including those with learning difficulties, deaf or hard of hearing, and the visually impaired.
“This is to ensure that their rights as PWDs to participate fully in the social life and enjoyment of opportunities available to other citizens are upheld at all times,” Fonacier said.
“All BSFIs are sternly reminded to adhere to laws and regulations against discriminatory practices toward PWDs,” Fonacier added.
Discriminatory practices, the BSP said, include non-acceptance of government-issued PWD identification cards for the opening of accounts and other financial transactions, as well as turning away visually impaired persons from opening bank accounts.
Another discriminatory practice is requiring visually impaired customers to open only joint accounts.
Apart from mobility ramps and Braille system in bank premises and ATMs, Fonacier said all BSFIs are also reminded to provide express lanes for PWDs, similar to those express lanes reserved for senior citizens and pregnant women within their premises.