ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas has thrown her weight behind Sen. Bam Aquino’s proposed “Blockchain the Budget Bill,” calling it a bold reform that could restore public trust by making every peso of government spending transparent and tamper-proof.
“Ini nga move ni Sen. Bam, para ipakita sa mga government officials nga if they want the people to trust us, dapat klaro man ang tanan nga paggamit sang kwarta sang gobyerno,” Treñas said in a press conference.
The bill seeks to embed blockchain technology into the national budgeting process, ensuring that allocations, contracts, and project expenditures are recorded in an immutable digital ledger accessible to citizens.
Advocates say the system would deter corruption by preventing manipulation of records and allowing the public to track and audit funds in real time.
Aquino underscored the urgency of the measure, citing persistent controversies in big-ticket projects such as flood control and infrastructure.
“Kung mangin layi ini, wala na sang matago kag wala na sang makalusot nga anomalya bangud makita sang tagsa ka Pilipino ang kada kontrata kag proyekto. Mahimo na ini nga i-track, i-audit, kag intindihon sang isa ka indibidwal,” Treñas said.
The senator appealed to Filipinos to support the initiative, describing it as a “nation-building tool” to make governance efficient and accountable.
Treñas echoed this view, noting that corruption in infrastructure has long eroded confidence in government.
“If we want honest governance, we need tools that ensure every peso is accounted for. A blockchain-based budget system would give people real-time assurance that projects are implemented as promised, and that funds are not wasted or diverted,” she stressed.
Globally, countries such as Estonia and Georgia have adopted blockchain in public administration, using it for land registries and procurement to cut red tape and strengthen accountability.
For Iloilo City, Treñas said the measure could ensure that local development projects deliver tangible benefits.
“Madamo na kita sang proyekto para sa aton siyudad kag pumuluyo. Ang mas importante subong, dapat may kabalaka nga masiguro nga ang resources sang gobyerno indi lang magluntad sa papel, kundi matuod nga nag-abot sa proyekto kag benepisyo sa tawo,” she added.
Aquino’s bill remains pending at the committee level in the Senate, but governance advocates believe it could position the Philippines as a Southeast Asian leader in digital transparency if passed./PN
