Philippines Launches Blockchain Budget Tracker on Polygon

The Philippine government has officially implemented a blockchain-based platform to strengthen the transparency and credibility of state-issued budget documents. This initiative, developed under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), utilizes the Polygon blockchain to publicly verify and display vital financial records, including Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs).

Accessible through the website, the new system enables citizens to view tamper-proof budget documents. These documents play a critical role in identifying how public funds are allocated and when they are released. This move is part of the broader government effort to modernize public services and enhance digital trust.

Blockchain for Governance Transparency

The platform operates on the Lumen component of the Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) solution provided by BayaniChain in collaboration with ExakIT Services. The technology leverages the capabilities of blockchain to create immutable digital records, reducing the risk of document forgery and increasing public accountability.

The official launch event, titled “Launching and Business Go-Live of the DBM Blockchain Application” took place on July 30 at the DBM Central Office in Boncodin Hall. The event featured representatives from DBM, ExakIT, and BayaniChain and highlighted the government’s commitment to adopting innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and satellite imaging, to modernize public policy and service delivery.

DBM representatives conveyed that the blockchain initiative addresses the growing concern around deepfake technology and fraudulent document creation. They emphasized that incorporating secure and decentralized systems into budgetary processes enhances the integrity of government documentation and deters manipulation by malicious actors.

The blockchain platform forms part of DBM’s broader digital initiative, Project Marissa, launched in 2023. The project utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to mint SAROs and NCAs on-chain. This approach guarantees that these documents remain unaltered once published and ensures their authenticity throughout their lifecycle. According to BayaniChain, the blockchain-based system was first tested in a sandbox environment before being deployed for public use. 

Philippines government budget is now notarized onchain, on Polygon.

The Department of Budget and Management has officially launched a blockchain-based system to store documents, providing an immutable record on Polygon for anyone to view or verify.

Philippines government budget is now notarized onchain, on Polygon.

The Department of Budget and Management has officially launched a blockchain-based system to store documents, providing an immutable record on Polygon for anyone to view or verify.

Implemented by Lumen, BYC,… https://t.co/THMd53Hx9G

— Polygon (@0xPolygon) July 31, 2025

BayaniChain’s leadership described the project as a milestone in Philippine history, marking the first time a government agency has used blockchain to track and manage the national budget. They viewed the development as a defining step toward creating a transparent and technologically driven government, characterizing the achievement as a significant point of national pride.

Legacy and Vision for the Future

The initiative builds upon earlier ambitions to incorporate blockchain in public governance. Back in 2018, the government had announced plans to explore blockchain for improving procurement systems and reducing corruption, particularly in post-procurement inventory tracking.

In 2023, the DBM outlined its “INVISIBLE Government” vision, a framework centered on creating secure, streamlined, and digitally integrated public services. Blockchain technology was identified as a foundational element of this plan, aligning with principles such as Zero Trust to ensure secure, immutable, and transparent operations.

Technical Framework and Public Access

From a technical standpoint, the process starts with DBM’s Action Document Releasing System (ADRS), which generates key budget records. These are then fed into BayaniChain’s Lumen BaaS platform. The Prismo Protocol functions as an orchestration layer, determining which data is made public and which is kept confidential to strike a balance between transparency and data protection.

All approved SAROs and NCAs are minted on the Polygon blockchain, ensuring that they are accessible, verifiable, and tamper-resistant. Users can retrieve documents dating back to 2024 either by scanning QR codes or by conducting manual searches based on various document details such as department, agency, or operating unit.

Clarifying Budget Documents

SAROs authorize government agencies to commit to specific expenditures and enter into contracts, although they do not permit the release of funds. NCAs, on the other hand, serve as the formal release of funds and are typically issued on a monthly or quarterly basis.

With this latest deployment, the Philippine government signals its intention to harness digital tools to reinforce fiscal accountability and foster public trust in governance.