Manila is moving to tighten how public records are tracked after Mayor Isko Moreno and Ann Cuisia signed a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at strengthening transparency in the city.
Cuisia is the founder of the Qadena Foundation and leads the rollout of a Filipino-built blockchain platform designed for secure government use. She also serves as PGMN’s first tech anchor, known for translating complex digital systems into public-facing issues. Her reporting on Grok drew national attention and prompted the Department of Information and Communications Technology – DICT to reinstate Elon Musk’s AI nationwide. Her work focuses on systems that allow transactions to be tracked and audited while protecting sensitive data, aligning with the city’s push for transparent but secure records.
The Manila Public Information Office said the platform is built to deliver “kalinawan at proteksiyon sa sensitibong impormasyon ng pamahalaan.” It allows records to be monitored and audited while keeping confidential data secure, addressing a long-standing challenge in government systems.
The rollout will begin with the Department of Assessment, led by Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ma. Cristina S. Fernandez. The office will become the first in Manila to integrate blockchain into daily operations. It handles records tied to property and valuation, where accuracy and traceability are critical.
City Hall said the pilot is expected to serve as a model for other departments and possibly other local government units. The agreement places Manila among early adopters of blockchain at the local level.
For residents, the shift centers on trust. A system that creates a clear and trackable record of transactions makes it easier to verify actions and flag irregularities. At the same time, protecting confidential data keeps sensitive information secure as the city moves to modernize its records.
