The city of Baguio, nestled in the northern regions of the Philippines, has revealed plans to test “GoodGovChain,” a governance system powered by distributed ledger technology (DLT). The innovative platform was created by BayaniChain Tech Inc. This initiative directly supports Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s ongoing efforts to boost effective and honest local administration.
A statement posted on the city government’s official social media page confirmed that Mayor Magalong officiated the signing of an agreement with BayaniChain. This Filipino company is recognized for its expertise in incorporating DLT solutions into public sector operations.
Mayor Magalong believes the platform will significantly improve openness and accountability.
“Transparency is a core aspect of effective governance. Utilizing DLT will provide this, especially regarding government dealings, financial records, and infrastructure development,” Mayor Magalong explained. “Securing documents and transactions is crucial. Implementing DLT before sharing information ensures we have truly open data.”
The GoodGovChain system stores budget details, procurement information, and infrastructure project data on a combined public and private distributed ledger. This configuration creates transactions that are both unchangeable and easily verifiable while safeguarding sensitive data. BayaniChain stated that the system is scalable nationwide, offering citizens access to verified information through an online portal.
“By providing Mayor Magalong and Baguio City with GoodGovChain, we’re equipping them with digital tools to ensure government data is open, verifiable, and accessible,” wrote Gelo Wong, Co-Founder of BayaniChain, on LinkedIn. “This is more than just technology; it’s a step toward rebuilding trust, empowering communities, and demonstrating that public service can be inherently transparent.”
BayaniChain’s approach to digital public assets.
GoodGovChain is built upon BayaniChain’s Digital Public Asset (DPA) Framework, treating public records as tamper-proof digital assets. The framework uses a hybrid DLT approach to strike a balance between public access and data protection. Fueled by Prismo Protocol and Lumen BaaS, the infrastructure allows both governmental bodies and businesses to publish verifiable records while keeping sensitive information safe.
BayaniChain also developed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Blockchain System, which secures Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs). Senator Bam Aquino recognized this project for its role in promoting DLT-supported national budget management.
National Budget Blockchain System proposed in bill.
Nationally, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV has introduced Senate Bill No. 1330, seeking to establish a National Budget Blockchain System. The bill proposes uploading all budget information as digital public assets, accessible in real-time through an online platform.
“By using modern technologies, we can guarantee that every peso in our national budget is used as intended. Citizens will be able to ensure that funds are used correctly, down to the last cent,” Senator Aquino stated.
Senator Aquino pointed out that current budget documents are “inaccessible, highly complex, and difficult to understand.” He added, “This bill modernizes budget openness and accountability with DLT. The objective is not only to make the budget publicly available but also accessible and open for citizen participation.”
If passed, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), DBM, and Commission on Audit (COA) will be tasked with building the system. Oversight bodies, local governments, and citizens will then be able to track the flow of funds from allocation to spending.
“This ensures that every peso can be tracked by the public. No more illegitimate contractors, no more hidden projects kept secret from local governments,” Senator Aquino said.
DLT as a tool to combat corruption.
Senator Aquino has emphasized DLT’s potential to deter corruption.
“No one would risk putting their transactions on a DLT where every step is recorded and visible to every citizen. But we want to begin,” he commented at the Manila Tech Summit.
Because DLT records are immutable, every peso spent would be permanently logged, allowing citizens to independently verify expenditures.
Besides the issue of corruption, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has previously highlighted the importance of adopting new technologies in shaping the Philippines’ digital economy.
“For Filipinos, digital technology translates to shorter lines, faster transactions, simpler bill payments, license renewals, and government service access. It also means farmers can register their products online, teachers can access digital tools, and entrepreneurs can sell to wider markets. In short, technology creates more opportunities for every Filipino,” he said at the Manila Tech Summit in August.
Building upon DBM’s DLT initiative.
Senator Aquino’s proposal builds on the DBM’s DLT platform, which publishes unchangeable versions of SAROs and NCAs. Citizens can check documents by scanning QR codes or searching by agency.
The DBM reports that DLT records shorten verification times and ensure authenticity even if physical files are changed. “DLT addresses the authenticity problem by providing independent verification,” the agency stated.
Watch: The Philippines is moving toward blockchain-enabled tech
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