CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Central Luzon is inviting the public to start investing through the retail treasury bonds (RTBs).
BTr 3 Bulacan OIC-Provincial Head Gerard Michael Caoleng said RTB is a program of the national government, which aims to raise funds for its priority projects, especially during this time of pandemic.
“This is a support to the sectors affected by the pandemic like unemployment, micro small and medium enterprises, and country’s healthcare system; enhancing the country’s response against the pandemic; as well as the various priority projects nationwide,” Caoleng said.
The provincial head said this program was launched to encourage the public to start saving and investing, while helping the government generate income.
“This type of investment is affordable, convenient, low-risk, has higher yield than time deposit, negotiable, and transferrable. We call this the default-risk since it is issued by the national government, thus, the risk for one’s return on investment is very, very low,” he said.
“Only a minimum of PhP5,000 is required for an individual to start investing. This provides an annual interest rate of 2.375 percent and are paid quarterly during its three-year maturity period. The interest rate is automatically credited to your account every quarter, subject to 20 percent withholding tax,” he said.
To avail of the RTBs, interested individuals may go to any of the 10 banks which are authorized selling agents of the BTR, provided that the individuals have peso accounts in that bank.
These include Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, BDO Capital and Investment Corporation, BPI Capital Corporation, Chinabank Capital, First Metro Investment Corporation, PNB Capital, SB Capital, RCBC Capital Corporation, and Union Bank.
Once at the servicing banks, interested investors may fill up the intent to purchase retail treasury bond and the bank representative will assist them.
“Another way is to invest online thru www.treasury.gov.ph, bonds.ph for Union Bank account holders, or through the OF Bank. You just need to download it from the Playstore or App Store,” Caoleng said.
The BTr official added that the RTBs are transferrable before its maturity date on March 9, 2024.
“If you wish to transfer your investment, you can sell it to the secondary market. You just have to go to the servicing bank and inform them that you want to sell your RTBs,” he said.
Prospective investors can avail of RTB 25 in servicing banks until March 9, 2021.