Treasury rolls out ₱30-B retail bonds

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is set to offer at least ₱30 billion worth of new retail treasury bonds (RTBs) as the government taps individual investors for fresh funding.

The peso-denominated RTB 32 will carry a fixed interest rate and mature in 2029, with an investment term of 2.5 years.

The bond auction will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 7, with settlement scheduled for Oct. 12, according to the BTr’s notice of offering released last week.

RTB 32 will be sold in minimum denominations of ₱5,000, making the government securities accessible to individual investors with relatively small amounts to invest.

The BTr is also offering holders of several existing government securities the option to exchange their eligible holdings for the new RTB.

These include RTB 15-01, FXTN 20-13, FXTN 03-30, RTB 15-02 and RTB 05-15.

The latest offering marks the 32nd issuance under the government’s retail bond program, which is celebrating its 25th year.

The BTr said the program gives Filipinos an opportunity to directly participate in the country’s economic growth and development through a government-backed investment.

The government raised more than ₱500 billion from its 31st RTB issuance last year.

Funds from that offering were used to help finance various government programs and projects, including those in education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture.