A recent public hearing on the government’s proposed national blockchain framework signaled a possible shift in tone between the Department of Information and Communications Technology and members of the technology community who have raised concerns over governance and system design.
The session was presided over by USEC David Almirol, who used the hearing to clarify the department’s position on the use of public blockchain infrastructure for government records. Almirol said national accountability systems should not rely on global public networks such as Polygon, emphasizing the need for direct government participation and control.
“Government agencies that contribute data should be able to run their own nodes,” Almirol said, stressing that state records must be maintained on infrastructure where participating agencies retain operational authority rather than depending on externally operated platforms.
The clarification comes after weeks of public debate surrounding the government’s blockchain roadmap, including criticism of the Digital Bayanihan Chain and warnings that vendor-led architectures could undermine accountability goals.
Among those who attended the hearing was Ann Cuisia, a PGMN tech Anchor and trustee of the Qadena Foundation. Following the session, Cuisia said the discussion reflected a more constructive engagement between DICT officials and industry practitioners, noting that technical feedback appeared to be taken more seriously than in previous consultations.
Cuisia has previously cautioned that the Digital Bayanihan Chain risked being shaped by vendor priorities rather than governance requirements. She said the government’s blockchain proposal could still succeed if its architecture remains solution-driven and focused on accountability outcomes instead of specific tools or providers.
She reiterated that any national blockchain system must balance confidentiality with non-repudiable authorship, allowing sensitive data to be protected while still making it possible to verify who submitted information, what was submitted, and when.
Cuisia also pointed to Almirol’s handling of the hearing as a factor in easing tensions, citing his willingness to engage directly with technologists who work hands-on with blockchain systems and to consider cautions raised during the discussion.
She said she remains open to collaborating with the DICT on initiatives aligned with the CADENA Act, a proposed measure authored by Bam Aquino that seeks to establish a digital portal for tracking government expenditures. Any collaboration, she said, should prioritize both responsible technology use and the protection of public funds.
The hearing was attended by several figures from the local blockchain sector, including Luis Buenaventura, Gail Macapagal, and Eli Rabadon, as discussions continue on how blockchain technology should be applied to national accountability systems.
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