To Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Atty. Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon, 

Esteemed panel of judges;  

Participants of the Open Government Hackathon 2025; 

And to all the technology experts and innovators who are also advocates of good and open governance: 

Good morning!  

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

My sincerest gratitude goes to the DICT for co-organizing this event with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to fulfill our shared mission of accelerating digital transformation towards a more transparent, effective, and accountable governance.  

And as early as now, I offer my warmest congratulations to all the brave changemakers who participated in this Hackathon. Despite the limited time to develop your applications, showing up for your final pitch today is proof that you are, indeed, passionate in co-creating solutions that matter most.  

New and emerging technologies present opportunities for governments to enhance openness and accountability, and for citizens to actively participate in governance processes. However, they also pose the risk of enabling the spread of misinformation and disinformation, eroding public trust, and excluding the marginalized communities.  

This just means that we must work even harder to ensure that our country’s digital transformation is grounded on truth, inclusion, and collaboration. Hence, our collective response to this challenge is to leverage open government principles in the development of civic tech tools so that it serves as a bridge between the government and the people. 

This is why today’s hackathon is especially meaningful. We are not just building applications—we are building trust toward our public institutions and empowering our citizens. 

I am excited to hear all your presentations, which I believe will serve as a powerful demonstration that innovation can be ethical, inclusive, and citizen-centered.  

As you begin your work today, allow me to share three key points that I hope will guide and inspire your initiatives. 

First, let us make government data truly open—accessible, usable, and designed for all Filipinos. When data is shared in meaningful ways, it becomes a powerful tool for public good. 

In the DBM, our regular publishing of key budget documents for public scrutiny has earned us the recognition as the most fiscally transparent country in Asia, according to the latest Open Budget Survey.  

Second, let us promote the ethical and transparent integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service delivery.  

And finally, let us design technology that puts people at the center—encouraging active participation, not passive observation. 

Together, let us harness the power of technology to build a Bagong Pilipinas—one that is smarter, more resilient, and truly responsive to the needs of the Filipino people and of future generations. 

Please take this space today. Masaya po tayo at maswerte po tayo na mayroon po tayong ganito. It is the first time in this Administration that Open Government was institutionalized. Isa po ito sa mga pinakaunang Executive Order ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. noong nagsimula ang kanyang administrasyon.  

So, let’s be happy, let’s be proud that we have a space like this, especially for the youth kasi kayo po ang pinaka-importante dito, dahil sabi nga, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan!”  

Maraming salamat po, and I wish you all a meaningful and inspiring Open Gov Hackathon!  

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu. 

END