Iloilo: The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is encouraging the registration of intellectual properties (IP) and technology output for protection.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference on the sidelines of the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Presidents' Summit 2026, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Cabochan emphasized the importance of IP registration. She stated that inventors should be able to earn from their creations, and registration ensures that IP creations are protected. Without registration, if someone else registers the IP first, they would hold the rights to sell, use, and manufacture it, leaving the original creator without any claims. Cabochan highlighted that registered IP owners have the authority to challenge counterfeit manufacturers or sellers.
Science and Technology Assistant Director for Western Visayas, Keithlyn Sarah Bernardino, stressed the economic benefits of protecting technology, research, and development outputs. She underscored that commercialization of these technologies is crucial for national economic impact. Government investments in R and D should be converted into protected intellectual property to enable commercialization and licensing.
In 2025, IPOPHL recorded 129 patent applications from Western Visayas, along with 139 for utility models, 30 for industrial designs, and 443 trademarks. The region saw eight IP grants for patent registration, 64 for utility models, 14 for industrial designs, and 209 for trademarks. Bernardino noted that Western Visayas has the highest number of ITSOs in the Philippines, with 14 ITSOs providing technical assistance during the application process.
Bernardino mentioned that most of their intellectual properties are technologies for food and agricultural products. The region is optimistic about future IPs related to natural products and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, there is a focus on Information Technology IPs, especially with artificial intelligence being a priority in Western Visayas.
Cabochan encouraged IP applications on green technology, which receive expedited processing and fee waivers under the IPOPHL incentive program. Renewable energy is a priority investment area, and IPOPHL hopes for patents that offer solutions to energy issues through green technology. Cabochan also acknowledged the significant potential for food-related patents, particularly given Iloilo's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Food security remains a pressing concern, and IPOPHL aims to address it through innovations facilitated by ITSOs.
The ITSOs Presidents' Summit, co-hosted by IPOPHL and the Iloilo Science and Technology University, brought together heads of ITSOs nationwide to promote innovation, intellectual property development, and commercialization. The event recognized high-performing ITSOs for their contributions.
