Lawmaker hits Aquino over new bills

MANILA -- A party-list lawmaker is disappointed over the decision of the Central Bank to go ahead with the printing of the new bills bearing President Benigno Aquino III’s signature without considering a blind-friendly design.

“We are very disappointed that the Central Bank did not wait for Congress to approve a bill for currency that has a ‘blind-friendly design’ and has repeated its usual discriminatory mistake by again introducing new currency without considering the less abled,” said Bayan Muna Reprsentative Neri Colmenares.

“It would be more beneficial for everybody if the elderly and the visually-impaired were considered in making the new bills,” he pointed out.

Colmenares earlier filed a bill to redesign Philippine notes and coins so that it will be easily recognized by the elderly and the blind.

He urged President Aquino to order the stopping of the printing of new bills so that the Central Bank may consider a blind-friendly design. (Kathrina
Alvarez/Sunnex)