The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP-Iloilo Branch) has started the construction of its new and bigger office building along Broadway Street of Iloilo Business Park inMandurriao district.

The groundbreaking ceremony on June 17 was led by incoming BSP Governor Felipe Medalla and the BSP Monetary Board Members. They were joined by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., business tycoon Andrew Tan, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Puyat.

Rosabel B. Guerrero, BSP Managing Director for Regional Operations, said the new BSP-Iloilo building is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months.

According to her, the state-of-the-art building will give way to more and faster transactions and will provide a conducive and easier location for banks and other stakeholders to transact.

The site is also safer and more secured as satellite offices of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices will also be built in the area.

Another factor that the BSP considered the new location was because of its accessibility to stakeholders, airport and seaports.

“Our primary responsibility here is to ensure the supply of currency will be available to the public. The transport of currency is important that we have access to airport and seaport,” she noted.IMT