ILOILO City – Panay News further strengthened its standing as one of the country’s leading regional newspapers after being named the 2026 Top IP Provincial News Awardee by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, recognizing the publication’s sustained and impactful reporting on intellectual property and innovation issues in Western Visayas.
The recognition, conferred under the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards — considered the country’s highest distinction for intellectual property advocacy — highlighted Panay News’ strong and consistent coverage of IP-related stories during the 2024–2025 monitoring period.
The award, which serves as a significant milestone for Panay News in its 45th year in the industry, was formally presented during a ceremony in Iloilo City on May 13, following its earlier national announcement in Metro Manila on April 24, 2026.
IPOPHL’s Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said Panay News emerged as the top-performing provincial newspaper in their media monitoring system after posting the highest publication score and story value based on the quality, consistency, and relevance of its intellectual property coverage.
“IPOPHL recognizes our media partners for their vital role in amplifying key IP initiatives, fostering innovation, and bringing essential IP stories to the Filipino public across various platforms,” Pascua said.
He emphasized that Panay News played a crucial role in translating complex intellectual property concepts into understandable and community-centered stories for readers across Western Visayas.
“Through consistent and impactful reporting, Panay News has been instrumental in bringing intellectual property awareness directly to communities in Western Visayas,” Pascua said.
Pascua underscored the broader significance of intellectual property, describing it as a vital component of innovation, creativity, and economic growth.
“‘Gawat-yamang isip’ — this is what we call intellectual property. It represents the ‘yamang isip’ or the inherent richness of one’s intellect and creation,” he said.
According to Pascua, intellectual property protection goes beyond legal frameworks and serves as a means of safeguarding creativity, innovation, and original works in an increasingly digital and innovation-driven economy.
He added that media organizations such as Panay News play an essential role in helping the public understand intellectual property rights and in encouraging support for local innovators and creators.
“On behalf of the team, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and congratulations to Panay News. We thank you for your continued partnership and your steadfast commitment to deepening the public’s understanding of innovation and IP,” Pascua said.
The Gawad Yamang Isip Awards honor media institutions, organizations, and individuals that significantly contribute to intellectual property awareness, innovation promotion, and the advancement of the country’s creative industries.
Officials said the recognition reflects not only Panay News’ editorial excellence but also the growing influence of regional media in bridging national policies and grassroots communities through accessible and relevant journalism.
The award also underscored the increasing role of provincial newspapers in advancing national campaigns on creativity, innovation protection, and intellectual property rights awareness throughout the country./PN