Atty. Adrian Cristobal, Jr.
DEVELOPMENTAL EFFORTS
In February 2005, Atty. Adrian Cristobal, Jr. was appointed Director General of IPOPHL. Under his watch, IPOPHL took on a strategic shift by boosting outreach efforts to redefine IPOPHL’s role in the national goal of fostering innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
IPOPHL also aimed for inclusive growth by expanding in the countryside. In 2008, it opened IP Satellite Offices (IPSOs) in Baguio City (catering to Northern Luzon), Legaspi City (Southern Luzon), Angeles City (Central Luzon), Cebu City (Visayas), and Davao City (Mindanao).
IMPROVING IP ENFORCEMENT
IPOPHL also became more active in the enforcement of IP rights through the creation of the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) by virtue of Executive Order No. 736. IPOPHL sits as Vice-Chair of the NCIPR, next to its Chair, the Department of Trade and Industry.
The President recognized the NCIPR for its impressive work in upgrading the country’s standing in the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) – from languishing in the Priority Watch List for five years to an improved Ordinary Watch List status.
PROFESSIONALIZING IP
IPOPHL also envisioned a strong community of IP advocates, educators, trainers, and researchers across the country. This vision made headway in June 2007, when IPOPHL, by virtue of Executive Order 737 issued by President Macapagal-Arroyo, launched the Intellectual Property Research and Training Institute (IPRTI). The IPRTI was created to respond to the country’s need for building IP expertise, education and research to make IP more relevant to socioeconomic needs and national goals.
SELF-SUSTAINING AND SURVIVING A GLOBAL CRISIS
Atty. Cristobal also took the lead in reorganizing IPOPHL to transition into a self-sustaining agency and helped lay the foundations in ensuring a financially sustainable IPOPHL.
His work proved integraI as the world economy plunged into a major crisis in 2008. IPOPHL saw its first test of operating amid an economic slowdown – and survived. Demand for IP would only increase and IPOPHL expanded ways to serve this bolstered demand.
