The Philippine government has introduced a blockchain-based system to verify government documents on the Polygon network, aiming to modernize public services and enhance trust in state-issued records. This initiative, announced by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), allows users to confirm the authenticity of documents like Special Allotment Release Orders and Notices of Cash Allocation by referencing cryptographic hashes stored on the Polygon blockchain. The hashes serve as tamper-proof identifiers, enabling real-time validation without exposing confidential information.
The rollout coincided with a temporary disruption on the Polygon network, caused by a technical issue with its Heimdall consensus layer. While core block production remained intact, several public-facing services, such as block explorers, briefly failed to display network activity. Despite the timing, government officials confirmed the launch proceeded uninterrupted. The blockchain validation system is now accessible through an official portal that allows users to scan QR codes or enter reference codes tied to budget documents. The system checks the code against the blockchain to confirm the document’s integrity.
This move addresses concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence in document forgery and aims to enhance accountability in public fund allocation. The Philippines joins a growing list of countries experimenting with blockchain for public record-keeping, setting a precedent for digital accountability in the region.