President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the commemorative coin set for the 125th anniversary of the Philippine Independence and Nationhood (APIN) in Malacañang.
In his remarks during the event, the President, along with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov. Felipe Medalla, said the launch is particularly significant saying that in a real sense, the establishment of a formal currency by any country is part of the definition of being a sovereign nation.
“And that’s why we have to see it not just a very, very nice souvenir but really a commemoration of the creation of the Republic of the Philippines. And it’s entirely appropriate that I have never seen coins like this before,” Marcos said.
Marcos said it also signifies the current level of technological advancement of the Philippines, noting “we are now at the forefront and will use the best technologies, the best techniques, everything that is good and new for our country.”
“That’s what it means. It just doesn’t mean that it is a 125th anniversary of the Independence Day, but it also reminds us how far we have come and the significance of what we have achieved in 125 years,” he added, congratulating those involved in the project.
The BSP issued the coin set in commemoration of the 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence (₱100), the birth of the country’s first republic at the Barasoain Church (₱20), and the bravery of the Filipinos who fought for the country’s sovereignty in the Philippine-American War (₱5).
The central bank used the latest digital printing technology in developing the APIN coin set, which features the first colored, non-circulation, commemorative coins produced by the BSP.
The BSP will announce via its social media channels when the APIN coins set will be available for sale. The coin set will be sold at the BSP Store https://bspstore.bsp.gov.ph. With the theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is leading the 125th APIN celebration from 2023 to 2026.