IPOPHL, LGA to mainstream IP respect and protection in local governments

March 3, 2022

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is set to mainstream and institutionalize intellectual property (IP) in local government units (LGUs) through a partnership with the Local Government Academy (LGA). 

IPOPHL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last February 7 with LGA, an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government tasked to provide human resource development and training to local government officials and department personnel. 

Under the MOU, IPOPHL and LGA will collaborate on institutionalizing IP education and policies within the LGA; mainstreaming IP through new or enhanced capacity development programs for the local government sector; and developing and implementing learning programs, modules and materials for LGUs.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said the partnership will effectively broaden its campaign to further awareness and use of the IP system at the grassroots level.

“The LGA can help in developing greater respect for IP rights in LGUs and, in turn, these local government officials can assist communities in creating and protecting their own IPs to their advantage,” Pascua said. 

LGA Executive Director Thelma T. Vecina said local communities will benefit from this partnership with the wealth of talent and innovations waiting to be made into real value for local industry development and economic growth. 

“These talents are a potent source that the country can readily harness towards energizing various fields of development in the LGUs,” Vecina said.

To institutionalize IP in the LGA, the government agency will craft its own IP policy and encourage LGUs to adopt IP-related innovations and good practices, ensuring their compliance with IP-related laws and policies.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nelson P. Laluces said the partnership will give LGUs the opportunity to rise in the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) as the report will be adding IP protection in its metrics. The CMCI, prepared by the National Competitiveness Council, is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities gauged by economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency and, starting this year, innovation. 

The partnership, Laluces said, is also a perfect synergy of the roles of IPOPHL and LGA in creating a more robust IP system throughout the country.

“The whole-of-government approach will also ensure efficient use of resources in supporting our LGUs to learn how their communities can benefit from respecting and protecting IP rights,” Laluces said.