Introduction: A bold idea in the Philippine civic tech scene
The question “Can a website make government better?” might sound simplistic, but it sits at the heart of a growing movement in the Philippines. A group of volunteers, loosely branded as the Startup PH guys, unveiled Bettergov.ph—an online project aimed at offering a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly version of the country’s government portals. Spearheaded by developers like Jason Torres, who now works from the United Kingdom, the project frames a larger challenge: how can technology empower ordinary Filipinos to engage with public institutions?
Why Bettergov.ph exists
Torres describes the existing gov.ph portal and related government sites as outdated and, in his words, “embarrassing.” The critique isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about usability, accessibility, and the sense that essential civic information is hard to find or understand. Bettergov.ph emerged from a mix of frustration with corruption coverage and a belief that citizen-driven tech can push public data into clearer, more usable forms.
Cost and volunteers: From idea to movement
Despite a modest budget—about PHP 3,000 to launch—the project quickly evolved from a four-person team to a network of at least 75 volunteers. The goal isn’t to replace government but to create a platform that motivates citizens to demand accountability, while offering an infrastructure to support open-source civic tech projects.
What Bettergov.ph aims to tackle
The project is not limited to a single problem. Its core ambitions include building better and more accessible government sites, promoting transparency, and supporting the development of data visualizations that make complex public information easier to digest. The founders describe a long-term vision: a vibrant ecosystem where citizens, developers, and civil society collaborate on governance improvements.
Concrete ideas under discussion
- “Rate politicians” platforms to foster accountability and feedback loops.
- A “Glassdoor for government agencies” that allows anonymous reviews from public servants and beneficiaries to surface workplace realities and efficiency gaps.
- A blockchain-enabled government reporting app to track and monitor public projects, aiming for verifiable transparency and accountability.
How the movement works and how you can participate
Participation is open. A dedicated Discord channel serves as the hub for ideas, collaboration, and resource sharing. So far, stakeholders from both government and the private sector have expressed interest in contributing—ranging from mentorship to technical support, data sharing, and API endpoints. The organizers emphasize open source, grassroots, and collaborative development as core principles.
Expected impact and the broader context
Bettergov.ph sits within a broader wave of civic tech in the Philippines. It reflects a citizen-led demand for better government services, more transparent use of public funds, and smarter ways to present data. The project’s advocates argue that even incremental improvements—clearer dashboards, accessible portals, and open data—can reduce friction for Filipinos seeking services and hold institutions more accountable.
What this means for citizens and policymakers
For citizens, the project signals a shift toward more participatory governance. For policymakers, it presents a proof-of-concept that technology can complement official channels, not merely critique them. The ongoing dialogue between volunteers and public-sector actors will determine how scalable and sustainable these ideas are, and whether they catalyze lasting change beyond a single website.
Conclusion: A call to action
As Torres puts it, anger and frustration can become engines for constructive, collaborative effort. The Bettergov.ph initiative embodies a grassroots, open-source approach to improving government services—one that invites anyone with a good idea to contribute. Whether it eventually leads to formal adoption or simply inspires better civic tech practices, the project underscores a simple truth: citizens can play a direct role in shaping how government works, through the tools they build and share.
