DICT eyes blockchain for budget hearing transparency

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) proposes utilizing blockchain technology to secure recordings of budget hearings, aiming to enhance transparency and combat corruption.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda explained that storing amendments to the proposed 2026 national budget on a decentralized, immutable ledger, accessible to the public, would help eliminate corruption in the budgeting process.

This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s push for livestreaming budget hearings and using technology to improve transparency in public fund allocation.

Aguda stressed that livestreaming alone is insufficient, and the actual recordings need to be secured on a blockchain.

DICT has entered into a non-cost agreement with blockchain service provider Polygon through a grant, with ongoing negotiations for the financial terms, currently ranging from $5 million to $10 million.