Building trust in the digital age requires collaboration among government, industry, and policymakers to ensure strong governance accompanies new technology. This served as the central message at the Future of Trust: A Leaders Forum on Technology and Governance, which opened Philippine Blockchain Week 2026. The event brought together legislators, regulators, and private sector executives to discuss how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital governance will shape the nation’s future.
Legislative backing highlighted the discussions, with Senator Bam Aquino emphasizing the responsible development of emerging tools. He noted that leveraging technologies like blockchain and AI offers a rare opportunity to leapfrog national progress and development. Aquino also acknowledged the Blockchain Council of the Philippines for supporting the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, an initiative aimed at institutionalizing blockchain-based budget transparency.
Government agencies are actively evaluating practical uses for these technologies. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Nicolas Torre III said that the agency is studying potential blockchain applications within its operations. While the MMDA already uses artificial intelligence for traffic monitoring and frontline services, Torre said that technology adoption must ultimately serve the public, with new tools continually evaluated on their ability to improve efficiency while protecting data privacy.
The forum also provided international and sectoral viewpoints on the local digital landscape. Dr. Kamal Anand, founder and CEO of Bigod Group, observed that the Philippines is far ahead on the blockchain adoption curve, particularly within Southeast Asia. He remarked that when trust is supported by clear regulations and strong collaboration between government and industry, innovation can move forward much faster. In the private sector, Cuervo Appraisers president and managing director Josemari Cuervo discussed how real-world asset tokenization could expand real estate investments to more Filipinos, though he stressed that trusted data and valuations remain the necessary foundation for investor confidence.
The event concluded with a shared understanding that technology can only scale when the public has confidence in the underlying data, institutions, and frameworks. Leaders from both sectors agreed that the next phase of digital transformation will depend on creating transparent, secure, and accountable systems to support sustainable economic growth.
