Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. BitPinas has no commercial relationship with any mentioned entity unless otherwise stated.
📬 Get the biggest crypto stories in the Philippines and Southeast Asia every week — subscribe to the BitPinas Newsletter.
Following weeks of public concerns about the government’s blockchain roadmap, technologist and Qadena Foundation Trustee Ann Cuisia expressed cautious optimism after attending a public hearing by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the proposed national blockchain design.
Key Details
In a social media post, Cuisia — who had previously voiced concerns regarding the “vendor-driven” nature of the Digital Bayanihan Chain — described the recent session as a positive step. She noted how government officials were open to feedback from the technical community.
From Voicing Concerns to Collaboration
Cuisia acknowledged that the government’s blockchain plan is “ambitious” and feasible, provided that the architecture remains “solution-driven” rather than focused on specific tools or providers:
“The specification must be solution-driven, grounded in how public data actually moves, and aligned with accountability outcomes.”
She reiterated her stance that a national blockchain must balance confidentiality with non-repudiable authorship. This ensures that while data contributors are protected, the system can still irrefutably verify “who submitted what, and when,” Cuisia said.
Praises for Almirol
A key factor appears to be the involvement of DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, who presided over the hearing. Cuisia commended Almirol for his grasp of “intentional system design” and, more importantly, his willingness to engage with industry practitioners.
“He listened. The comments and cautions raised by technologists who actually work with blockchain were taken seriously.”
Aligning with Policy
There appears to be a potential thaw in the tension between the DICT’s initiatives and independent industry experts.
Cuisia mentioned that she looks forward to collaborating with the department in ways that align with the CADENA Act, a legislative measure aimed at creating a digital budget portal for national accountability, authored by Sen. Bam Aquino.
“We look forward to… contributing in ways that… ensure the proper use of technology and, just as critical, the proper use of the people’s money,” she concluded.
Context: The ‘Vendor Bias’ Debate
This development follows a series of sharp critiques from Cuisia regarding the “Digital Bayanihan Chain,” a project previously unveiled by the DICT and developed by BayaniChain via a “no-cost to the government” grant from Polygon.
Cuisia had warned that “vendor bias” and the use of “no-cost” tools could lead to long-term lock-in and fail to address the root causes of corruption.
The recent hearing was attended by key industry figures including newly appointed Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) President Luis Buenaventura, Qadena Executive Director Gail Macapagal, and DvCode founder Eli Rabadon.
This article is published on BitPinas: Cuisia Lauds DICT Blockchain Hearing; Sees Path for Collaboration After ‘Constructive’ Dialogue
What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?
