The Peso is the foreign currency of the Philippines. It's subdivided into one hundred centavos. Prior to 1967, English was used on all notes and coins, hence the term “peso” was used as the name of the currency in the Philippines. When Filipino was introduced as a written language, the term used on notes and coins became “piso”.
Economy
The Philippines is estimated to be the 45th largest economy in the world, with a GDP of USD$216 billion (2011). Major exports includes semiconductors and other electrical components, transport equipment, clothing, copper and petroleum products and fruits.
In recent times, the Philippines has been transitioning from a agricultural-based economy to one that increasingly relies on services and manufacturing. Agriculture now only accounts for roughly 30% of the workforce and about 14% of GDP.
The economy of the Philippines was the second largest in East Asia after World War II. However the economy stagnated until the 1990s, based on economic policies and political volatility, and other Asian countries surpassed the Philippines in terms of GDP growth.
In the 1990s, a new program of economic liberalization was introduced, leading to economic recovery until the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
History
Prior to the introduction of a formal currency, trade in the Philippines was performed using a barter system, and later on “piloncitos” (small pieces of gold) and gold barter rings.
The Spanish introduced coins to the Philippines when they colonized the country in 1521. However, the coins used by Filipino people were minted in various Spanish countries around the world, leading to major inconsistencies in purity and weight.
In 1861, the first mint was established in order to standardized coinage.
After the Philippines gained independence in 1898, the country’s first local currency was introduced, replacing the Spanish-Filipino Peso.
The United States captured the Philippines in 1901, and established a new unit of currency that was pegged to exactly half of a US Dollar in 1903.
During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by Japan, and new notes were introduced yet again.
The Central Bank of the Philippines was established in 1949, leading to the reintroduction of a formal Filipino currency.
