The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is encouraging Filipino innovators to secure intellectual property (IP) protection as they prepare entries for the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards (PFA), which now require technologies with registered IP or at least pending applications.
In a statement on March 6, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan said initiatives like the PFA help bring Filipino innovations closer to the market while strengthening the country’s IP ecosystem.
“Our goal is to build a strong IP system that inspires inventors, creators, and scientists to develop products and services that improve lives, strengthen businesses, and contribute to economic growth,” she said.
As an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council, IPOPHL emphasized that registering IP—such as trademarks, patents, utility models, and industrial designs—is now a prerequisite for participation.
“We encourage—and it is now required—that inventors, creators, scientists, and researchers register their trademarks, patents, utility models, and industrial designs with IPOPHL,” Credo-Cabochan explained.
She noted that IP registration not only safeguards innovations but also helps attract investors, enable commercialization, and scale up production for both domestic and international markets.
The PFA, created under Executive Order No. 99, is considered the country’s highest recognition for early-stage or market-ready innovations that contribute to national development. It is organized by the National Innovation Council and implemented by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.
The competition is open to Filipino citizens or enterprises that are at least 60% Filipino-owned and registered with agencies such as the DTI, SEC, or CDA.
Eligible innovations must have a working prototype or operational model, along with proof of IP registration or a pending application. Five finalists will be selected to receive the award, grants, and post-competition support.
Applications for the 2026 PFA are open through the official portal until March 15, 2026.