THE House of Representatives’ plan to go paperless and adopt blockchain technology by 2026 is expected to reinforce a broader government effort to use digital tools to improve transparency, accountability and public trust, as several agencies and lawmakers pursue parallel blockchain initiatives.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Tuesday announced that the House will transition to a paperless system and adopt blockchain technology beginning in 2026, a move he said would strengthen the integrity and transparency of legislative processes, including the preparation of the national budget.
“As your Speaker, I have always said that trust in government is built not by words alone, but by actions,” Dy said in a video message posted on the House’s social media platforms.
The announcement came a day after the House adjourned following the ratification of the P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget.
“Kaya’t nais ko ring ibahagi ang isang mahalagang hakbang na ating tatahakin para sa reforms at modernization ng Kongreso (That is why I also want to share an important step that we will take toward the reforms and modernization of Congress),” Dy said.
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Under the plan, the House will adopt blockchain technology to secure legislative records and transactions and move toward a fully paperless Congress. The initiative will be undertaken with the support of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Dy said.
“Once the transition is completed, we will be the first legislative body in Asia to adopt this technology,” he said.
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The House initiative aligns with ongoing efforts across government to explore blockchain as a tool for transparency, particularly in public finance and budgeting.
The Department of Budget and Management has previously rolled out a blockchain-based system to verify and secure budget documents, allowing users to authenticate official records through blockchain-backed verification mechanisms.
In Congress, several lawmakers have filed measures seeking to institutionalize blockchain use in government. Proposed legislation in both chambers calls for placing national budget data, including allocations and disbursements, on blockchain platforms to allow real-time public monitoring and independent verification of government spending.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology has publicly supported the use of blockchain in governance, citing its potential to strengthen transparency, reduce opportunities for corruption and improve public confidence in state institutions. The department has also said blockchain initiatives could be implemented through partnerships with the private sector to manage costs and technical requirements.
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Some local governments have also begun pilot projects using blockchain for governance and records management, reflecting growing interest in the technology beyond the national level.
Dy said the House’s move is intended to institutionalize transparency and accountability rather than serve as a symbolic gesture.
“Ginagawa natin ito dahil naniniwala tayo na ang transparency ay hindi lamang isang adhikain o slogan; dapat ito ay isinasagawa at isinasabuhay (We are doing this because we believe that transparency is not just an aspiration or a slogan; it must be practiced and lived),” he said.
