MANILA, Philippines — September 2025. The Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) has inducted a new set of trustees, reaffirming its commitment to shaping responsible blockchain growth in the country through policy alignment, grassroots education, and stronger institutional partnerships.

Among those appointed is Jiro Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Bitskwela—a homegrown initiative best known for its Filipino-first approach to blockchain education. Over the past two years, Bitskwela has actively bridged knowledge gaps through multilingual Web3 learning campaigns, community town halls, and youth-focused onboarding initiatives. With his inclusion in the Council’s Board of Trustees, Reyes now joins a growing movement to embed blockchain literacy directly into the policymaking and governance process.

Reyes extended his gratitude to the Council for the trust and opportunity, highlighting that the appointment reflects the broader work being done by the Bitskwela team to make blockchain education more accessible, inclusive, and proudly local.

The new Board includes leaders from across fintech, law, media, education, and venture, including Emmanuel Navalan (Viridian Technologies), Eliezer Rabadon (DVCode Technologies), Luis Buenaventura (Gxchange/GCash), Gail Macapagal (Independent), Ida Tiongson (Opal Investments), Catherine “Catz” Jalandoni (Independent), Ann Cuisia (TraXion Tech, Inc.), Janelle Barretto (Philippine Blockchain Technologies, Inc.), Atty. Mark Gorriceta (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra), Gelo Wong (Independent), Atty. Terence Ferrer (Divina Law), Chezka Gonzales (Women of Substance, Inc.), Paul Soliman (BayaniChain), and Donald Patrick Lim (Dito CME). Their diverse backgrounds reflect a strategic blend of innovation, compliance, advocacy, and grassroots development—a mix that’s essential as blockchain gains stronger institutional footing in the Philippines.

The induction event was attended by key figures from the public sector and innovation ecosystem, including SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo, House Representative Bryan Poe Llamanzares, and DICT Assistant Secretary Luis Miguel Planas—underscoring the increasing policy relevance of blockchain in national development.

Assistant Secretary Planas, speaking at the event, emphasized blockchain’s promise for improving public trust and institutional efficiency. His address, titled “Decoding Tomorrow: Blockchain’s Promise for Philippine Governance,” echoed a broader shift within DICT and national policy circles; one that positions distributed technologies as foundational for digital public services, transparent processes, and long-term governance reform.

The Blockchain Council’s expanding leadership becomes more than symbolic. It signals a necessary collaboration between builders, educators, and regulators, especially as the country advances discussions on digital identity infrastructure, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and artificial intelligence oversight.

Founded in 2022, the Blockchain Council has grown into a convening body that connects technologists, legal experts, regulators, and educators under a shared mandate: ensure that blockchain is not just adopted, but adopted responsibly—with an emphasis on transparency, inclusivity, and long-term national value.

As the Council enters its fourth year, its refreshed board points to a critical new chapter that embraces policy engagement, practical education, and multi-sector alignment to move blockchain beyond buzzword status and into meaningful, applied governance.

‍