House nears approval of bill hiking BSP capital to P200 B

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill increasing the capitalization of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) from P50 billion to P200 billion.

BSP Deputy Governor Vicente Aquino told lawmakers the central bank needed a large capitalization “to enable it to meet the needs and demands of a rapidly expanding economy and the growing complexity of our financial system.” 

He said the BSP actually needed P400 billion, but it chose to request for half of that amount in “full cognizance of the country’s fiscal priorities.”

The central bank’s increased capitalization is contained in a bill that would amend the BSP charter. The House Committee on Banks endorsed the approval of the measure.

The additional P150 billion for the BSP would come from the national government and would be infused over time.

Other proposed changes in the BSP charter include the expansion of the central bank’s authority to obtain information from private entities, build up reserves to cover foreign exchange fluctuations and issue debt securities. 

The Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries has also agreed to endorse a bill amending the charter of Al Amanah Bank to expand Islamic banking in the country.

Batangas Rep. Nelson Collantes, committee chairman, has created a technical working group to draft the final version of Bill 5989 for submission to the House proper for plenary consideration.

He said the proposed law “is very timely as it would help the government make economic growth inclusive and sustainable.”

The bill, authored by Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of party-list group Anak Mindanao, seeks to amend the country’s lone Islamic bank, Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank, to allow it to expand its operations.

The measure would make the Muslim bank independent from the Development Bank of the Philippines, convert it into a universal bank with a P10-billion capitalization and authorize it to issue Islamic bonds.

Turabin-Hataman said the measure would “help provide a responsive regulatory framework for Islamic banking that encourages a level playing field for a wider success in financial transactions by amending the Al Amanah Bank Charter.”

It would open Islamic banking to local and foreign investors, she said.

“Islamic banking and finance is a growing industry worldwide, gaining a market not just exclusive for Muslims, as it is seen as an alternative to existing conventional banking. This is particularly significant for the country, as we position our self as a major player in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration,” she said.

She added an expanded Amanah Bank would offer financial services not only to Muslims, but also to other sectors of society as well.

The BSP has endorsed Turabin-Hataman’s bill, saying it could be the answer to growing challenges and opportunities in Islamic banking.