Policy reform, skills development, and real-world use cases seen as keys to unlocking economic potential
In a compelling call to action, Dr. Donald Lim has urged the Philippines to seize the opportunity presented by blockchain technology, warning that the country risks missing out on a transformative economic wave if it fails to act decisively. Writing in Business World on 21 May 2025, the founding president of the Global AI Council Philippines highlighted the urgent need for clear policy, talent development, and large-scale blockchain deployment to position the country as a leader in the digital economy.
Dr. Lim began by drawing parallels to the explosive growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the early 2000s, which turned the Philippines into a global hub for customer service and IT support. “That same drive for innovation and economic opportunity must now be channeled into the next technological revolution: blockchain,” he said.
He emphasised that while public discourse often focuses on cryptocurrency and speculation, the real potential of blockchain lies in its ability to create a transparent, tamper-proof digital ledger — one that can bypass intermediaries, enforce trust, and preserve data integrity. “In a country where corruption, red tape, inefficiency, and lack of transparency often hinder progress, blockchain offers an opportunity to leapfrog old systems,” he noted.
Highlighting blockchain’s broad applications, Dr. Lim pointed to use cases in land titling, public procurement, logistics, healthcare, and even agriculture. He explained, “Blockchain can help streamline government transactions by creating permanent, transparent audit trails… Even in agriculture, blockchain can be used to trace food from farm to table, ensuring safety, sustainability, and authenticity.”
However, he cautioned that without a coherent national strategy, these promises would remain unrealised. “What is needed is a policy framework that provides regulatory clarity for blockchain-based enterprises while also ensuring consumer protection,” he wrote. While progress has been made, such as licenses from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and cryptofriendly zones in the Cagayan Economic Zone, Dr. Lim argued that comprehensive regulation and harmonisation with global standards are vital to attracting investment and enabling growth.
Dr. Lim also stressed the pressing need to develop a skilled workforce. “There remains a dearth of blockchain developers, architects, auditors, and legal experts. This is a missed opportunity,” he said, encouraging institutions to launch training programs and certifications through TESDA, DICT, and private partners. “Just as the BPO boom was supported by English training… the blockchain wave must be underpinned by technical training and startup incubation.”
Beyond education and policy, Dr. Lim called for immediate and practical blockchain deployment across sectors. “The DICT and local government units can take the lead by digitizing government services through blockchain — starting with business permits, clearances, or property records.” He also pointed to potential initiatives in higher education, hospitals, and the judiciary as tangible use cases.
He praised global leaders like Estonia, Kenya, South Korea, and Singapore for already implementing blockchain solutions across various services, noting that these successes were made possible through “ecosystems — where governments, businesses, developers, and educators worked together under clear policies with strategic vision.”
To replicate this success, Dr. Lim proposed a unified national roadmap involving agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Bangko Sentral, SEC, and NEDA, alongside developers and academia. This, he said, should include incentives for startups, data protection frameworks, R&D funding, and pilot programs.
“The opportunity is massive. Blockchain is still in its early stages, and countries that embrace it now will define its future,” he concluded. “We missed the manufacturing wave. We caught the outsourcing wave. Now, we have another chance. The world is watching. It’s time to build.”
