Philippines Uses Polygon Blockchain to Track Public Spending and Enhance Transparency

The Philippine government has launched a blockchain-based system to track and verify public spending, using the Polygon network to enhance transparency and accountability in government finance. The initiative, unveiled by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in collaboration with local blockchain firm BYC and deployed through the Lumen Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital governance efforts. Key budgetary documents such as Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs) are now recorded on the public Polygon ledger, enabling real-time verification by citizens, auditors, and journalists [1].

The system integrates DBM’s internal Action Document Releasing System (ADRS) with a blockchain gateway built by BYC. This gateway, using Lumen, converts internal budgetary records into blockchain-compatible formats, which are then filtered through the Prismo Protocol. The protocol determines which information is suitable for public disclosure and which must remain internal. Once approved, the documents are published on the Polygon blockchain, ensuring they are immutable and tamper-proof [2].

Public access to these records is facilitated through the portal blockchain.dbm.gov.ph, where users can look up budget documents using document numbers or QR codes. The system ensures that once a document is published on the blockchain, it cannot be altered without leaving a visible trace. As a result, government transactions now leave a permanent digital footprint, reducing the risk of document fraud and unauthorized modifications [1].

This initiative is part of DBM’s broader Project Marissa, introduced in 2023, which aligns with the agency’s vision of an "INVISIBLE Government"—streamlined, secure, and digitally integrated public services. By anchoring budgetary records on a public blockchain, the government aims to enhance trust in its financial processes, particularly in an era where digital threats like deepfakes and AI-generated disinformation are prevalent [2].

Paul Soliman, CEO of BYC, described the project as a landmark development in the country’s governance infrastructure, stating that it ensures public funds are used responsibly. Officials also highlighted the system’s potential to expand to areas such as procurement contracts and inventory management in the future [2].

The Philippines now joins a small but growing list of governments globally that are adopting blockchain for public administration. By leveraging Polygon’s scalable and secure blockchain infrastructure, the country is setting a precedent for digital accountability in the region [1].

Source: [1] Coinspeaker - [https://www.coinspeaker.com/philippines-adopts-polygon-to-safeguard-official-documents/](https://www.coinspeaker.com/philippines-adopts-polygon-to-safeguard-official-documents/)

[2] BitPinas - [https://bitpinas.com/business/budget-blockchain-ph/](https://bitpinas.com/business/budget-blockchain-ph/)