IPOPHL Holds Turnover Ceremony

Published on January 1, 2020

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) held last Dec. 19 a turnover ceremony as Director General (DG) Josephine R. Santiago completes her hold over the post.

Held at IPOPHL’s headquarters in Taguig City on Dec. 19, the ceremony was witnessed by 13 other members of IPOPHL’s Executive Committee.

Taking over the IPOPHL beginning January 1, 2020 as Officer-in-Charge DG is Deputy DG Teodoro C. Pascua, up until the president appoints the next DG.

During her watch at IPOPHL for over four years, DG Santiago, like her predecessors, has substantially transformed the local IP system for the better, launching new programs and projects while enhancing the old and established ones. 

DG Santiago's overall initiatives translated to having drastic improvements in the IP application processes for stakeholders—IPOPHL achieved full online registration (from application to payment) under her term; more effective IP enforcement through strengthened collaboration with stakeholders; heightened IP awareness through the creation of an Advocacy and Communications Unit; the establishment of the IP Academy, an emblem of her priority to focus on IP education and training; a more inclusive approach in guiding all members of society (women, micro, small and medium enterprises, and independent inventors, etc.) in their IP journey; a proposal, already submitted to Congress, to amend and update the current IP Code; and the initiation and completion of the landmark National Intellectual Property Strategy 2020-2025. 

For more information on the major milestones IPOPHL achieved under former DG Santiago, please go to “Highlights and Initiatives and Programs (Oct. 8, 2015-2019).”