14 universities and the regional R&D committee commit support for IPRDP
October 4, 2024
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ (IPOPHL) Intellectual Property Regional Development Plan (IPRDP) for Western Visayas has gained the support of its 19-member Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) and 14 universities with the aim to harmonize innovation efforts in the region.
New and long-time partners of IPOPHL formalized their support through a joint memorandum of understanding signed last September 26 at Sam’s 21 Hotel in Iloilo City.
“With the support of the RRDIC and 14 universities, IPOPHL looks forward to the effective coordination of efforts that could address the innovation gaps in the region,” IPOPHL’s Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB) Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan said.
The 14 universities were namely the Aklan State University; Capiz State University; Carlos Hilado Memorial State University; Central Philippine State University; Central Philippine University; Guimaras State University; Iloilo Science and Technology University; Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology; Northern Iloilo State University; University of Antique; University of San Agustin; Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas; University of the Philippines – Visayas; and Western Visayas State University.
All universities are members of IPOPHL’s Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Program which allows their institutions to extend certain IP services, such as patent search and drafting, to their academic communities.
Meanwhile, the RRDIC is a special committee under the Regional Development Council of Western Visayas. The RRDIC is tasked to ensure that research, innovations and other science and technology-based projects are pertinent, responsive and aligned with regional development priorities.
RRDIC Chair and Department of Science and Technology – Western Visayas Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga lauded IPOPHL for the initiative and emphasized the importance of IP.
“We cannot progress without science, technology and innovation. But of course, we can only profitably benefit from science, technology and innovation if inventors have a legal right, the intellectual property rights, to maximize the full potential of all of these. And we’re glad that IPOPHL has initiated this plan because it will align with the development aspirations of the Western Visayas,” Gelonga said at IPOPHL’s KaIPhan press conference session last week.
Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Rachel N. Nufable said IPOPHL’s engagement in the region also promotes entrepreneurship in the region.
“We want them to be competitive locally and globally so there are many areas where we work with IPOPHL, especially on trademarks which is crucial for entrepreneurs. Even our business counselors assigned in local government units understand the importance of the registration of IP assets. We encourage everyone to register their trademarks and IP, especially if they want to sell their products outside the region,” Nufable said.
With 14 ITSOs, Western Visayas is home to the most ITSOs outside the National Capital Region and is recognized for its high-quality innovations.
In 2020, the Iloilo IP Satellite Office, which caters to the entire Western Visayas region, assisted a record 92 applications for patents, utility models and industrial designs despite the pandemic’s challenges, making it the highest innovation-related fillings processed by an IPSO that year.
By 2023, Iloilo IPSO ranked second in trademark applications.
For his part, DITTB Assistant Director Chamlette D. Garcia commended the region for embracing the IP system as key to further unlocking the region’s innovative, creative and economic potential.
“The commitment from both the RRDIC and the universities illustrates a shared vision for a sustainable and innovative future in Western Visayas. By harnessing IP, the region is poised to transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that research and innovations contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development,” Garcia said.
The IPRDP is a three-year initiative tailored to meet the distinct IP needs of specific regions in the Philippines, aiming to promote innovation and economic growth. Rooted in collaboration among government, academia and industry, the plan aims to align with broader regional strategies, enhance IP literacy and foster a culture of innovation. # # # (Janina Lim, Information Officer III)