BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Harnessing the power of digital innovation for inclusive growth, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) gathered leaders, students, innovators, and industry players in Balanga City, Bataan for the Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025 from October 27 to 28.
With the theme “Driving Innovation Through Digital Bayanihan,” the summit highlighted key topics on blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies, while tackling discussions on industry trends, government initiatives, regulatory frameworks, academic research, digital inclusion, and countryside development.
In his video message, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda underscored the administration’s call for the Philippines to embrace full digital transformation in step with other countries around the world.
“Dito po sa DICT nakasuporta kami sa inisyatibo ng paggamit ng technology sa paglaban sa korapsyon. Blockchain po ay hindi solong solusyon diyan. Ito po ay kasangkapan lang, ito po ay tool,” Aguda said.
He assured that the department remains committed to strengthening the country’s digital economy through partnerships and collaboration.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at tuloy po ang DICT sa pakikipagtulungan sa inyo. To the organizers and to those who still believe that digital is a major transformative force in making sure that the narrative of our country changes from one that is catching behind technology to one that is leading it. Again maraming maraming salamat po,” he added.
For his part, DICT Regional Director Antonio Edward Padre emphasized the summit’s developmental goal of using emerging technologies to improve governance and service delivery for the Filipino people.
“Pangatlong taon na itong isinasagawa ng DICT at partner agencies dito sa Bataan. Dati National Blockchain event ito pero ngayon sa dami ng emerging technologies ay ginawa na Global Emerging Tech Summit. Ang pokus ngayon ay paano makakatulong ang emerging technologies sa governance,” Padre shared.
Meanwhile, Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III called on innovators, developers, and investors to support Bataan’s vision of building the first blockchain-based meritocracy system in governance, which serves as a digital platform that promotes transparency, accountability, and performance-based public service.
“To all our visitors, developers, investors, and innovators here today, we need your help to build the first blockchain-based meritocracy system in governance. A system where every LGU’s performance is accurately measured and transparent, where incentives are released automatically maybe through smart contracts, and where decisions are grounded on verified data,” Garcia said.
He explained that combining blockchain’s secure framework with a meritocracy-based approach can transform governance into a transparent and efficient system that genuinely improves people’s lives.
“Blockchain secures transactions, meritocracy ensures performance, and when you combine both you create a government that is not just efficient and accountable but more importantly truly improving the lives of its citizens. If we can record good governance and performance the way we record blockchain transactions, permanent, transparent, and accountable, then we won’t just gain better data, we’ll earn the much needed deeper trust of our people,” the governor added.
Garcia also highlighted Bataan’s growing reputation as a model province for digital innovation, emphasizing the role of data-driven leadership and emerging technology in building public trust.
“Welcome to Bataan, a small province enough to act fast but big enough to lead. Together let’s build a future where every decision is data-driven, every leader is accountable, and every citizen actually benefits from government performance that cannot be denied. Together let’s make Bataan and our country a place where emerging technology strengthens trust and where innovation serves the people it’s meant to help,” he said.
Organized by Philippine Blockchain Week, the Global Emerging Tech Summit, now in its third year, builds on the success of the previous Global Blockchain Congress and continues to serve as a premier platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange on emerging technologies that drive inclusive and sustainable development.
The event was held in cooperation with the ICT Development Bureau, Blockchain Council of the Philippines, and the provincial government of Bataan. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
