The Philippine government has officially launched a blockchain-based system to verify government documents on the Polygon network as part of a broader initiative to modernize public services and improve trust in state-issued records, local media reported on July 31.
The new platform, introduced on July 30 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 comes amid rising concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence in document forgery. Officials say the system is designed to address these challenges while enhancing accountability in how public funds are allocated.
“This initiative is part of our broader commitment to integrating secure, emerging technologies into governance,” said Maria Francesca Montes Del Rosario, DBM undersecretary, during the launch event. The department partnered with Bayanichain, a local blockchain firm, to develop and deploy the infrastructure.
The announcement 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.
The Philippines joins a growing list of countries experimenting with blockchain for public record-keeping. However, the network hiccup highlights the importance of stability and redundancy when state infrastructure relies on decentralized platforms operated by third parties.