Iloilo City mayor backs blockchain budget tracking bill

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu on Tuesday, Sept. 16, expressed support for pending legislation in Congress that seeks to implement a blockchain system for tracking budget allocations.

In a statement, Treñas-Chu described Senate Bill No. 1330, filed by Sen. Bam Aquino, as a “strong step towards upholding good governance, transparency, and accountability.”

The mayor explained that a blockchain-based budgeting system is tamper-resistant and ensures that every peso allocated to projects and programs is properly tracked and accessible to the public.

She said this transparency would apply even to granular expenses, such as the purchase of fire extinguishers, barangay facilities, laboratories, cultural activities, and sports supplies.

“If we want the people to truly trust us, we must show them that the use of government funds is clear, accurate, and beyond manipulation,” Treñas-Chu said.

“A blockchain system can expand public trust in government, safeguard people’s money, and guarantee that funds are truly used for services and benefits intended for the community,” she added.

Her spokesperson, Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, said the mayor would also support a similar measure if introduced in the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

“Definitely, yes,” Fantilaga-Gorzal said when asked by the Daily Guardian.

According to a Senate press release, Aquino’s bill would mandate the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management, to establish a blockchain-based budget system.

Under the proposed measure, all records of the national budget would be encoded as Digital Public Assets.

The bill also proposes the creation of a public portal that would provide real-time access to budget flow—from agencies to projects to beneficiaries—for the public, other government offices, and oversight bodies.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez filed a similar measure in the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 4380.