Building trust in the digital age requires more than adopting new technologies. It requires collaboration among government, industry, and policymakers to ensure innovation is supported by strong governance and public confidence.
This was the central message at Future of Trust: A Leaders Forum on Technology and Governance, the opening event of Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, where government leaders, legislators, regulators, and private sector executives explored how blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital governance can shape the country’s digital future.
Among the strongest signals of support came from Senator Bam Aquino, who reaffirmed the importance of enabling legislation that allows emerging technologies to flourish responsibly.
“When we leverage technologies like blockchain and AI, we have a rare opportunity to leapfrog our nation’s progress and development,” Senator Aquino said.
Senator Bam Aquino delivers his message of support at Future of Trust.
He also thanked the Blockchain Council of the Philippines for its support on the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, which seeks to institutionalize blockchain-based budget transparency, expressing hope that government and industry can continue working together to advance the measure.
Panel discussions also demonstrated how government agencies were beginning to explore practical applications of emerging technologies.
For Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre, technology adoption must ultimately serve the public. “We’re studying whether blockchain has applications within MMDA’s operations,” he said.
While noting that the agency already relies heavily on artificial intelligence to improve traffic monitoring and frontline services, Torre said emerging technologies continue to be evaluated based on how they can strengthen operational efficiency while protecting data privacy.
LEFT photo: MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III (center) speaks with (L-R) Bilyonaryo’s Atty. Karen Jimeno, with Assistant Secretary Lia Badilla of the DILG and BYC Ventures’ Paul Soliman
RIGHT photo: Dr. Kamal Anand, CEO of Bigod Group with PDAX CEO Nichel Gaba
The forum gathered leaders from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Budget and Management, MMDA, and major private sector organizations to discuss the future of digital identity, AI governance, blockchain infrastructure, cybersecurity, and trusted digital services.
Offering a global perspective, Dr. Kamal Anand, Founder and CEO of Bigod Group, said “the Philippines is far ahead on the blockchain adoption curve.”
“We work with many countries around the world, and I believe the level of adoption here is remarkable, especially in Southeast Asia,” he said. “The key now is trust. When trust is supported by clear regulations and strong collaboration between government and industry, innovation can move forward much faster. The market is already growing, blockchain adoption is booming, and I believe the Philippines is well positioned to lead in this space.”
Discussions on trust also extended into traditional industries where blockchain and AI are beginning to unlock new opportunities. During a panel on the future of real estate, valuation, and emerging technologies, Josemari Cuervo, President & Managing Director of Cuervo Appraisers, highlighted the potential of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization to broaden access to investment opportunities while underscoring the importance of trusted information as the foundation of any digital asset ecosystem.
“Tokenization could open real estate investment to more Filipinos across different income levels. But before we can unlock that opportunity, we need trusted data and trusted valuations. That’s the foundation that allows investors to participate with confidence,” he said.
