DPWH taps blockchain to track infrastructure projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has rolled out a blockchain-based system that allows real-time tracking of taxpayer-funded projects, as the agency moves to curb corruption and ensure public funds are properly spent.

The agency said Wednesday that the launch of the Integrity Chain ensures “traceable, auditable and accessible records to accredited validators of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP).”

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is using digital tools and boosting private sector oversight to monitor projects from bidding and planning through awarding and completion.

“This is a major step in ensuring that what we've seen in the past doesn't happen again. Not only do we need to hold people to account, not only do we need to get the people's money back, but even more important is we make sure that this [flood control scandal] does not happen again,” the public works chief stressed.

The system, developed with the BCP, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and BYC Ventures, gives validators a real-time dashboard for decentralized and secure monitoring of infrastructure projects.

To access the Integrity Chain Portal, visit: https://www.integritychainph.org/