Blockchain Technology launched in Baguio – First in the Country and Southeast Asia

Baguio City, Philippines – As recent flood control anomalies continue to plague the country, the City of Baguio launched blockchain technology on October 15 in partnership with Bayanichain, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in government.

The launch makes Baguio the first city in the country and in Southeast Asia to implement and adopt blockchain technology for public records. The initiative also includes a feedback center where citizens can submit their queries, feedback, and reports of anomalies.

The move comes weeks after Mayor Benjamin Magalong attended a joint Senate hearing on October 2, where he revealed extensive irregularities in infrastructure projects. The hearing focused on Proposed Senate Bill 1330, or the Philippine National Budget Blockchain Act.

The mayor said the city’s adoption of blockchain technology is a response to such challenges, ensuring that government data and records will be “open, tamper-proof, and permanently traceable.”

“Every Filipino deserves systems that are not only efficient but also inherently trustworthy. And with that, trust must be built on systems. I would like to emphasize that trust is the cornerstone of any institution,” Magalong said during the hearing.

According to Bayanichain, the lead developer of GoodGov Chain, the system functions as a digital public ledger that makes documents permanent, transparent, and auditable. Edited documents will also remain visible, with their revision histories accessible to the public, ensuring full accountability.

With this step, Baguio City moves closer to its vision of becoming a livable, inclusive, and creative city by 2043, while setting a national precedent for technology-driven governance.