MANILA - Banks in Tacloban cannot reopen just yet, as the typhoon-ravaged city still has no reliable power and telecommunications service, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told InterAksyon.com that Tacloban residents would have to transact in banks located in n Maasin, Southern Leyte and Catbalogan, Samar in the meantime.
In any case, bank customers would have to contend with shortened operating hours because of limited electricity and poor communications, he said.
“Security is also a concern,” Espenilla said, adding that this is the reason why offsite ATMs remain closed.
About 44 banking and micro-banking offices, as well as 146 ATMs in Tacloban remain shuttered. These include 28 universal and commercial banks, six thrift banks, and 10 rural banks.
source: interaksyon.com
