Prepare Enough Cash: Seemingly Unfriendly BPI Branch

When going to visit the grave of Fr. Franceso Paleola, S.J., I suggest bring extra CASH, in case you will find yourself with a seemingly unfriendly BPI branch.

This was what I found out when I went to BPI that Monday morning of 22 September 2014:

ATM to the left has a note saying "NO CASH."
ATM to the right has a note saying "OUT OF ORDER."
WINDOW PANE has a center note saying "GIDILI ANG PAGPATABANG SA GWARDYA ARON MAKAPOSTE SILA SA ILANG PUWESTO --- BPI"
      Translation:  It is FORBIDDEN to ask for the Guard's help so that they can remain in their post.

The note is understandable -- that is, guards are supposed to secure the bank.  But with NO CASH and OUT OF ORDER ATMs, what do you do?  Who do you approach?  And this was at 830AM and the bank was not yet open, though many employees were already inside.

And, worse, the computer screens which supposedly service customers's transactions were not in good working condition.  Keying in 3000 results in 3070 because the 0 becomes a 7.  There was 1 customer who was trying to enter her transaction details that seemed forever.

This situation would not be a big thing in Manila as there are many BPI branches in many parts of the city.  But, if Dipolog City only has 1 BPI branch, this means trouble for a passing through traveler.