USING BLOCKCHAIN FOR WELFARE PROGRAMS MONITORING

USING BLOCKCHAIN FOR WELFARE PROGRAMS MONITORING

If there is one thing that has always weakened our welfare programs, it is the absence of a reliable database. Every time a disaster strikes or a subsidy is released, the same story unfolds: lists are incomplete, records are outdated, and beneficiaries are chosen not by need but by nearness—to the mayor, to the barangay chairman, or to whoever holds the pen that writes the names.

That is why I have long believed that blockchain technology—often misunderstood as something useful only for cryptocurrencies—could actually become one of the most powerful tools for public welfare governance. Properly applied, blockchain could finally give us transparency, accountability, and tamper-proof monitoring for our social and economic programs.

Let’s start with the basics. Blockchain is essentially a digital ledger that records transactions in a way that cannot be altered. Every entry is verified and visible to all authorized parties. This means that if a barangay captain tries to add a “ghost beneficiary” to a list, that change can be easily detected, because every entry is timestamped and traceable.

In welfare programs—especially those involving billions of pesos in cash or goods—this feature is revolutionary. It means no one can quietly receive double or triple benefits. It also ensures that those who are supposed to get help actually do.

But here’s the caveat: garbage in, garbage out still applies. A blockchain system is only as good as its registration process. If data entry is corrupted from the start, then even the most secure system will replicate that corruption perfectly. That is why accurate registration—done with transparency and oversight—is the real foundation of a trustworthy welfare database.

The Problem of Patronage

Too often, welfare programs are used not as instruments of compassion, but as tools for political patronage. Relief packs become election bait. Job slots in emergency employment programs—like DOLE’s TUPAD—go to those who promise votes rather than those who need work.

If used properly, blockchain could shift this behavior from the politics of patronage to the politics of performance. Every transaction would be recorded, visible, and verifiable. Every barangay could show in real time how much aid was released, to whom, and for what purpose. This kind of transparency would make corruption not just harder—but embarrassing.

The Philippines Is Already Moving

This isn’t science fiction. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines have already launched the Integrity Chain, a blockchain-based platform that secures and tracks government infrastructure projects. It logs everything—from budget allocations to procurement processes to construction milestones. Imagine if the same principle were applied to welfare programs like the 4Ps, TUPAD, or disaster relief.

Another key initiative is eGOVchain, launched by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in 2024. This blockchain backbone secures public service transactions—such as government IDs, permits, licenses, and document authentication—and is now being integrated into the eGovPH SuperApp. Once this becomes fully operational, it can link PhilHealth, SSS, and even welfare databases into one trusted ecosystem.

What Blockchain Can Do for Welfare Programs

Using blockchain, we could achieve:

  • Immutable Ledgers – Once entered, data cannot be tampered with. No ghost beneficiaries, no erasures.

  • Real-Time Tracking – Citizens, LGUs, and agencies can monitor project progress and fund disbursements as they happen.

  • Decentralized Access – Everyone involved, from national agencies to cooperatives, can verify data independently.

  • Smart Contracts – Funds are released only when verifiable milestones are reached, removing human discretion.

  • Audit Trails – Every peso can be traced from budget approval to beneficiary receipt.

Barangay-Level Applications

For me, the most exciting potential lies at the barangay level. Imagine using blockchain to monitor:

  • TUPAD work logs—who actually worked and for how long;

  • Burial dignity infrastructure—tracking materials, labor, and zoning permits;

  • Aquaculture restoration projects—logging pond clearing, brine reuse, and mangrove planting;

  • Cooperative insurance pooling—transparent claims, payouts, and member verification.

This would not just prevent corruption. It would empower communities. Barangay officials, cooperatives, and even citizens could verify project data themselves, building trust from the bottom up.

Beyond Welfare: Other Uses in Governance

The same system could strengthen other areas of public administration:

  • Land and property records, to prevent double-selling and title fraud;

  • Voting systems, to secure absentee or barangay-level plebiscites;

  • Procurement transparency, ensuring public contracts are awarded fairly;

  • Social welfare tracking, ensuring every family listed in 4Ps or disaster aid databases is genuine.

In other words, blockchain could be the digital skeleton of good governance—a structure that keeps our welfare programs upright, transparent, and verifiable.

My Takeaway

Some will say this is too idealistic. Perhaps. But so was the idea of a paperless government once—and now we all have digital IDs and online permits. Technology evolves, but political will must catch up.

If we truly want to end corruption in welfare programs, we must replace secrecy with systems. Blockchain does not depend on goodwill; it depends on mathematics, consensus, and public verification. It doesn’t care who you voted for—it only cares if the data is true.

So maybe, just maybe, the future of honest governance will not come from another anti-corruption slogan—but from a transparent digital ledger that no one can lie to.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 03-21-2026

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