The government has secured P221.21 billion from its latest retail treasury bonds (RTB) offer, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTR) on Tuesday, which is more than seven times the bond issue size P30 billion.

The BTR said it has secured P221.21 billion with total tenders reaching P284.18 billion on the first day of the public offer period that ends on March 4.

“For this year, as we endeavor to win back our growth momentum from the clutches of the pandemic that we turn to retail treasury bonds as our curtain raiser in what is shaping to be another busy year for fundraising,” National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said during the launch of the latest RTB.

“Since its maiden offering the RTBs has indeed proven to  be a reliable fundraising exercise that helps complete the funding needs of the national government and at the same time provide  ordinary Filipinos a sound and accessible investment vehicle to grow their savings,” she added.

The government is encouraging small investors to invest in RTBs that have a tenor of three years with a coupon of 2.375 percent and is offered in minimum denominations of P5,000.

To make sure of wider participation from the public, the BTR has tapped online channels like the RTB Online Ordering Facility through its website. The payments can be made through the electronic payment facilities of China Banking Corp., Development Bank of the Philippines, First Metro Securities and Brokerage Corp., and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The latest bonds can also be purchased through the Bonds.PH mobile application of the Union Bank of the Philippines and OFB Mobile Banking Application by the Overseas Filipino Bank.

De Leon said the latest RTB offering is part of the national government’s P3-trillion borrowing program this year as it seeks various funding sources to fund measures, programs and projects to help the domestic economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,

“About 82 percent of which will be sourced from the domestic market. Though the enormity of this amount may appear staggering, we have already proven last year that it could be accomplished thanks in large to the overwhelming support given to our RTB issuances,” de Leon said.

The latest RTB is the eighth under the Duterte administration.