DICT Unveils eGov chain – Philippine Government Blockchain
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has introduced eGOVchain, a government blockchain aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in public transactions.
[BitPinas followed the story after a post shared by web3 entrepreneur Christopher Starr on Facebook.]
What’s the significance: If successful, the Philippines may well be one the first countries to launch its own blockchain.
What’s the news:
- DICT announced the launch of eGOVchain during National ICT Month 2024.
- The blockchain project is part of DICT’s broader digitalization efforts, including initiatives like eTravel, eHealth, eVerify, and eGovAI.
DICT USEC David Almirol references blockchain’s immutability as key reason into launching this initiative. “We need to protect data from internal and external attacks, and without blockchain, it will be impossible to do it,” he said. (Read more: DICT Aims to Transform the PH into a Digital, Cybersecurity Hub)
Benefits of blockchain include:
- Enhancing transparency and accountability, which could make the people trust the government more.
- Protecting sensitive government data from being manipulated or destroyed.
- Streamlining process and reducing fraud, while saving time and resources.
Zooming out: A number of high-profile cyberattacks against government agencies’ databases have happened in the last few years. One notable example is the PhilHealth ransomware attack in September of last year.
What’s next:
“We aim to establish a second node by year-end with private sector support, and a third node next year, making us one of the first countries to launch a government blockchain,” USEC Almirol said.
This article is published on BitPinas: DICT Unveils eGOVchain – Philippine Government Blockchain
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