#digital governance

Speaking at a briefing in Malacañang, Henry Aguda, Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, confirmed that the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is now integrated into a blockchain-based platform called the Digital Bayanihan Chain. According to Aguda, the system records every stage of the budget process,  from congressional approval and fund release to spending and reporting into a single, immutable digital ledger. “This effectively gives every peso a digital receipt,” Aguda explained, noting that once information is written on the chain, it can no longer be altered or falsified. Aguda emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader push to modernize government systems using emerging technologies, positioning the Philippines as an early adopter rather than a follower in digital governance. Our friends from Western Digital in the region is holding another contest and I'd like to invite our readers here to join in. Prizes include Western Digital HDDs and tickets to cool destinations like Maldives, Bali or Phuket. Disclosure: Western Digital Asia-Pacific is an advertiser in this blog. Western Digital Philippines is also a sponsor in our recent WD TV Live Christmas Giveaway. Read more in our articles including "Philippines Becomes First Country to Put Entire National Budget on Blockchain" and "Waze rolls out Motorcycle Mode, Philippines among first markets to get it".