“BayaniChain and BetterGov.ph’s founders discuss the future of digital governance and accountability in the Philippines.”
The Philippine tech scene is buzzing with a critical discussion on how blockchain can transform government. A recent BitPinas-hosted debate brought together Paul Soliman of BayaniChain and Jason Torres of BetterGov.ph, two prominent figures with different visions for digital governance in the country. Moderated by the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the discussion tackled vital questions on cost, control, and the very necessity of blockchain in public service.
Paul Soliman positioned BayaniChain as an infrastructure provider, similar to major cloud services, that works through partners rather than directly with the government. He clarified that BayaniChain does not hold direct commercial contracts with government agencies. Their core offering focuses on creating systems for verifiable data preservation and evidence, anchoring critical government data on public blockchains (like Polygon) to ensure censorship resistance and long-term immutability, even across administrative changes. This approach, he explained, provides an “insurance” layer for data integrity, using battle-tested smart contract standards like ERC-721 for unique record keeping.
Jason Torres, representing BetterGov.ph, advocated for a civic tech, open-source movement where the government maintains sovereign control over its blockchain infrastructure. He emphasized the need for transparency through citizen validators and robust data syndication to external nodes, allowing public scrutiny to identify fraud. Torres questioned the universal application of blockchain, suggesting that for many issues, investing in better data engineering, data science, and AI for existing systems might be more effective than over-engineering with blockchain.
The discussion delved into practical examples, such as tracking laptop procurement. While Paul suggested blockchain could serve as an immutable historical record to prevent price inflation or specification changes, Jason argued that for simpler procurements, foundational data infrastructure and robust audit trails are more critical. He stressed that not every government process requires blockchain, urging a focus on proper system architecture and interoperability between departments first.
Concerns about BayaniChain’s perceived dominance in government blockchain projects were raised. Paul attributed this to their early focus and long-term commitment to creating verifiable data infrastructure, welcoming competition. Louise Bannerman-Turla, President of the Blockchain Council, added that the perceived “monopoly” might stem from a lack of other visible providers in the past, a situation expected to change as government interest in blockchain grows. Jason echoed the call for more competition and emphasized the Blockchain Council’s role in educating government bureaucrats on appropriate blockchain applications and standards.
Despite their differing approaches, both leaders agreed on the ultimate goal: enhancing government transparency and combating corruption in the Philippines. The debate underscored the importance of open dialogue, continuous education for policymakers, and a collaborative effort from the tech community to ensure that blockchain initiatives are implemented effectively and responsibly. The consensus points towards a future where diverse tech solutions contribute to a more accountable and digitally transformed Philippine government.
