Philippines eGov super app to transform government services, DICT’s Edwin Ligot tells CoinGeek Backstage

The Philippines has led the world in the adoption of digital assets, the metaverse,
blockchain technology, and play-to-earn (P2E) games. With its new super app, the Southeast Asian country is now looking to transform government services and offer unique opportunities to its people, Edwin Ligot says.

Ligot was part of a delegation from the Philippines at the London Blockchain Conference that talked about how the country is leveraging blockchain and other emerging technologies to usher in the golden digital era.

In an interview with CoinGeek Backstage, the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Development and Management at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) discussed how the country’s new super app will change the lives of Filipinos.

The eGov PH super app aims to streamline and digitize government services, including acquiring ID and driving licenses, SIM card registration, and travel declaration processes, among others.

“No more forms, no more writing on paper,” Ligot told CoinGeek Backstage reporter Becky Liggero. The app offers “the best opportunities for the Philippines right now.”

He added that in a world that’s becoming increasingly digital and decentralized, the Philippines is seeking to become a haven for digital nomads. It’s now easier than ever to set up a business in the country, and with the super app, all the other services will become just as easy to access.

Blockchain is one of the technologies that the Filipino government is leveraging in its digitalization push. Through the DICT and other departments, it has partnered with leading blockchain service providers, including nChain, to underpin its applications with the technology.

While other countries may have a head start, Ligot believes the Philippines is coming in at the right time. The government can learn from other countries’ mistakes as it seeks to “build a perfect system for the Philippines,” he added.

“That will be our advantage,” said Ligot.

Watch: Philippines needs more changemakers to usher in digitalization