Government offices should take the lead in adopting blockchain systems to encourage the growth of the technology, according to Ramon Vicente de Vera, vice chairman of the newly-established Blockchain Association of the Philippines (BAP).
Speaking on the sidelines of BAP’s official launch at the Blockchain Application and Economic Forum 2018, de Vera said the public sector plays a vital role in accelerating blockchain adoption.
De Vera, who heads UnionBank of the Philippines’ fintech and partnership unit, remarked:
“Once they get into it, we’ll actually also help the adoption. Imagine the government doing the blockchain solution. That (will) not just get the public interests but drive the demand in society. There are so many use cases there -- land titling, OFW remittance, loans, even in the backend like efficiency, productivity, procurement.”
He explained that the Philippines has the potential to emerge as a global leader in the blockchain space in addition to enjoying the wealth of benefits to be derived from the technology. Its application across various sectors could drive inclusive growth even in the countryside, with blockchain potentially playing an important role in poverty alleviation, he said.
A major push for BAP is the proposal to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education to create a blockchain education program to upskill Filipinos.
De Vera added:
“It can be done by the Association, its partners, as well as bringing in global leaders. There are blockchain academies from Australia, New York, and Japan that can really help in the education aspect.”
Government help sought for blockchain upskilling
Early this month, the Philippine Association of Digital Commerce and Decentralized Industry (PADCDI) said it would seek closer cooperation with TESDA to improve the skills of Filipinos and bring them on a par with world-class software developers to make the country a global blockchain hub.
PADCDI chairman Mary Rose Magsaysay said the organization wants the government to provide funding for training courses in blockchain development.
This article appeared first on Cryptovest
