In a landmark move toward radical transparency, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has officially launched a blockchain-powered transparency portal for the Philippine national budget. This initiative, mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., makes the Philippines the first nation in the world to secure its entire budget cycle on a decentralized digital ledger.
During a Palace briefing on Thursday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda announced that the system provides a permanent, tamper-proof record of public funds. By utilizing blockchain technology, every peso allocated in the national budget will now carry an immutable digital receipt.
“This is our response to the President’s directive to use digital technology to strengthen public trust,” Secretary Aguda stated. “We haven’t just kept pace with the world; we have leapfrogged. While other nations use blockchain for small portions of their data, we are placing the entire budget cycle on a secure digital ledger.”
The new system, dubbed the “Digital Bayanihan Chain,” ensures that budget data remains accessible and unalterable for decades. Key highlights include:
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End-to-End Tracking: Covers all stages—approval, allocation, disbursement, and reporting.
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Immutability: Records cannot be deleted, edited, or manipulated by any official or entity.
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Public Accountability: Citizens, auditors, and researchers can verify official records even years after a project is completed.
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Full Integration: The transition will be completed under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, covering the total budget cycle.
The primary objective of the portal is the prevention of graft and corruption. By creating a “forever” record, the DICT aims to eliminate the possibility of “ghost projects” or the secret diversion of funds.
“When the budget has a permanent digital record that cannot be changed in secret, it becomes much harder to cheat and much easier to hold people accountable,” Aguda explained.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), with significant legislative backing from House Speaker Faustino Dy III and Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
This unified front ensures that the digital transformation is not merely a departmental project but a foundational shift in how the Philippine government manages the people’s money.
