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Select Philippine Budget Documents Now on the Blockchain

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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officially launched its blockchain-based platform, making key budget documents publicly accessible and verifiable via the Polygon blockchain.

Budget Documents on the Blockchain

Through the website blockchain.dbm.gov.ph, the public can now view immutable versions of the Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs), two essential government documents that indicate where public funds are allocated and when these funds are released.

The blockchain integration uses the Lumen component of the BYC Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, developed by BayaniChain in partnership with ExakIT Services.

The website officially went live during a launch event held last Wednesday, July 30, at Boncodin Hall in the DBM Central Office. Titled “Launching and Business Go-Live of the DBM Blockchain Application,” the event carried the theme “From Blocks to Assets: Unlocking the Value of Data with Blockchain for DBM” and was conducted with Exakt and BayaniChain.

“Blockchain solves our problem in AI deep fake and prevents bad actors to fake [government] documents… We are using cutting edge technology like AI, blockchain, satellite imaging to enhance how we do public policy and governance.”

Maria Francesca Del Rosario, Undersecretary, Department of Budget and Management

“For the first time in Philippine history, a government agency has implemented a blockchain project to publicly track and manage its national budget. This collaboration between the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Bayanichain sets a precedent for transparency and accountability in public finance.”

Paul Soliman, CEO, Bayanichain

Soliman added that the initiative is a step toward a more transparent and technology-enabled government which he highlighted as “a proud moment for the nation.”

According to Soliman, it was initially piloted and has already graduated in a sandbox environment. As part of DBM’s Project Marissa, introduced in 2023, the project uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to “mint” SARO and NCA documents on-chain, ensuring they cannot be altered or tampered with after issuance.

Worth reading: Interview: Blockchain for the Public Sector? Prismo Paves Begins with Project with Budget Department

Last year, the DBM shared its “INVISIBLE Government” vision, aiming to create a seamless, secure, and digitally integrated public service system. The initiative highlights blockchain as a core technology to enhance transparency and cybersecurity. Through principles like Zero Trust, blockchain ensures secure and immutable government records.
Prior to these, in 2018, then-Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno announced plans to use blockchain in the government’s procurement process to enhance transparency and reduce corruption, starting with its application in post-procurement inventory systems.

How it Works

Soliman also detailed the technical integration process behind the blockchain-based budget transparency platform, aimed at enhancing public access to verifiable government spending records.

The process begins with the Action Document Releasing System (ADRS), DBM’s internal platform that generates actionable budget documents. These documents are then integrated into the Lumen Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform developed by Bayanichain.
The Prismo Protocol serves as the data orchestration layer, intelligently managing which information is publicly shared and which is kept private, ensuring that transparency is achieved without compromising sensitive data.
All approved public budget documents are inscribed and minted on the Polygon blockchain, making the data tamper-proof and verifiable to the public through blockchain explorers and other verification tools.

Available Documents

The available documents date back to 2024. Users can access the files in two ways: by scanning the QR code on a valid SARO or NCA, or by manually searching using specific details such as the document type, department, agency, and operating unit.

Special Allotment Release Order (SARO)

It allows a government agency to commit to spending and enter into contracts, but it does not release actual funds. It authorizes the obligation of funds for specific purposes and serves as the basis for issuing an NCA.

Which department and agency can you check these files:

State Universities And Colleges (SUCs)
- Cebu Normal University
- University Of The Philippines System
Department Of Finance (DOF)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Bureau of Customs
- Bureau of Internal Revenue
- Bureau Of Local Government Finance
- Bureau Of The Treasury
- Central Board Of Assessment Appeals
- Insurance Commission
- National Tax Research Center
- Privatization And Management Office
Department Of Public Works And Highways (DPWH)
Department Of Tourism (DOT)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Intramuros Administration
- National Parks Development Committee
- Philippine Commission On Sports Scuba Diving
Department Of Trade And Industry (DTI)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Board Of Investments
- Philippine Trade Training Center
- Design Center Of The Philippines
- Construction Industry Authority Of The Philippines (CIAP)
- Cooperative Development Authority
National Economic And Development Authority (NEDA)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
- Public-Private Partnership Center Of The Philippines
- Philippine Statistical Research And Training Institute (Formerly Statistical Research And Training Center)
- Tariff Commission
- Philippine Statistics Authority
- Commission on Population and Development
Other Executive Offices (OEOs)
- Film Development Council Of The Philippines
- Mindanao Development Authority
- Anti-Red Tape Authority
Department Of Transportation (DOTr)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Board Of Investments
- Philippine Trade Training Center
- Design Center Of The Philippines
- Construction Industry Authority Of The Philippines (CIAP)
- Cooperative Development Authority

Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA)

It authorizes the withdrawal of cash from government banks to cover expenses already approved under a SARO. It represents the actual release of funds and is typically issued monthly or quarterly.

Departments:

Department Of Finance (DOF)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Bureau of Customs
- Bureau Of Internal Revenue
- Bureau Of Local Government Finance
- Bureau Of The Treasury
- Insurance Commission
- National Tax Research Center
- Privatization And Management Office
- Securities And Exchange Commission
Department Of Public Works And Highways (DPWH)
Department Of Tourism (DOT)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Intramuros Administration
- National Parks Development Committee
Department Of Trade And Industry (DTI)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Board Of Investments
- Philippine Trade Training Center
- Design Center Of The Philippines
- Construction Industry Authority Of The Philippines (CIAP)
- Cooperative Development Authority
National Economic And Development Authority (NEDA)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
- Public-Private Partnership Center Of The Philippines
- Philippine Statistical Research And Training Institute (Formerly Statistical Research And Training Center)
- Tariff Commission
- Philippine Statistics Authority
- Commission on Population and Development
Other Executive Offices (OEOs)
- Film Development Council Of The Philippines
- Mindanao Development Authority
- Anti-Red Tape Authority
Department Of Transportation (DOTr)
- Office Of The Secretary
- Civil Aeronautics Board
- Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Office Of Transportation Cooperatives
- Office For Transportation Security
- Philippine Coast Guard
- Toll Regulatory Board