Philippine Web3 Groups Join Forces to Push Blockchain Budget Transparency Bill

Civil society organizations and web3 groups in the Philippines have launched a joint signature campaign to urge the House of Representatives to pass the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act. The bill, which aims to establish a tamper-proof digital tracking system for national budget allocations, procurements, and disbursements, remains stalled in the House despite being passed by the Senate with a 17-0 vote in late 2025.

The CADENA Act proposes mandatory 7-day reporting of financial transactions, contractor details, and project progress updates. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will manage the system via a dedicated CADENA Program Management Office and serve as secretariat for the National Budget Transparency and Accountability Council (NBTAC).

The proposed framework also includes a phased rollout, with a 6-to-12-month pilot program followed by a nationwide implementation over three years. The signature drive highlights expanding convergence between tech-focused groups and traditional governance watchdogs, with key organizational signatories including Women in Blockchain Philippines, the Innovative Movement of the Philippines Association of Cryptocurrency Traders (IMPACT PH), and Block Tides.

Civic leaders emphasize that transparency mechanisms must be installed before public funds are allocated, urging Congress to turn public demands for financial accountability into permanent legislative reform.