The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is encouraging the registration of intellectual properties (IP) and technology output for protection.
In a press conference on the sidelines of the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Presidents’ Summit 2026 in Iloilo City on Wednesday afternoon, March 25, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Cabochan said they would like inventors “to earn from what they have created.”
“Registration is important so that your IP creation is protected. If you do not register and somebody registers it first, that IP right holder will now have the right to sell it, to use it, to manufacture it, earn from it. The one who created it is out of the picture. ‘Yan ang iniiwasan natin (We are preventing that),” Cabochan said.
She added that the owner can always go against the manufacturer or seller of counterfeit products if they are registered.
Science and Technology Assistant Director for Western Visayas Keithlyn Sarah Bernardino said protecting technology, research and development (R&D) output is the only way to gain economically.
“We can commercialize those technologies, and that’s the only way that our nation will feel the economic impact. We would like to ensure that all government investments on R&D can be converted into intellectual property that is protected so that we can commercialize and license it,” she said.
In 2025, IPOPHL data showed that Western Visayas had submitted 129 patent applications, 139 for utility models, 30 for industrial designs, and 443 trademarks.
There were eight IP grants for patent registration, 64 for utility models, 14 for industrial designs, and 209 for trademarks.
“I would like to highlight that Western Visayas has the largest number of ITSOs in the Philippines,” she said.
ITSOs, lodged in state universities and colleges, provide technical assistance during the application process.
Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, has 14 ITSOs.
Meanwhile, Bernardino said that as far as the DOST is concerned, most of their intellectual properties are technologies for food and agricultural products.
“For the region, we are very positive that hopefully, in the near future, we will have more intellectual properties related to natural products and pharmaceutical,” she said.
They are also looking forward to IPs in Information Technology, especially because artificial intelligence is a priority in Western Visayas.
Cabochan also encouraged IP applications on green technology, which goes through an expedited process, and certain fees are waived under the IPOPHL incentive program.
“Renewable energy is a priority area of investment. We are hoping that we will have patents that would provide solutions to energy problems through green technology,” she said.
However, she said, it would not be a surprise if most applications from Iloilo are into food, especially because it is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
“Food, I think, is also very important because we would like to address food security. I do not want to look down on applications for patents that deal with food because food security is one of our most urgent problems, and I hope that, through the ITSOs, we can have a solution in the pipeline through all of these inventions,” she said.
The ITSOs Presidents’ Summit, co-hosted by IPOPHL and the Iloilo Science and Technology University, gathered the heads of ITSOs nationwide to celebrate excellence in innovation, intellectual property development, and commercialization.
During the whole day event, performing ITSOs were given recognition. (PNA)
