Filipino innovators must protect intellectual property to join top awards
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is calling on Filipino innovators to secure legal protection for their creations before entering the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards. This prestigious competition recognises early-stage or market-ready inventions that boost national development. Only those with registered intellectual property—or at least a pending application—can now qualify for the country's top innovation prize.
The Presidential Filipinnovation Awards celebrate groundbreaking Filipino technologies that drive progress. To enter, applicants must be Filipino citizens or businesses with at least 60 percent local ownership. Their innovations must also have a working prototype or operational model.
IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan explained that the IP requirement ensures inventions can grow into sustainable businesses. Protecting intellectual property helps innovators attract funding, enter new markets, and compete globally. The office advises creators to register patents, trademarks, utility models, or industrial designs before applying.
Five top-ranked finalists will receive the Presidential Filipinnovation Award, along with financial grants and ongoing support. However, details on the exact number of annual finalists or the specific post-competition benefits remain undisclosed.
The new IP registration rule aims to strengthen the commercial potential of Filipino innovations. By securing legal protection, inventors can better scale their products and access wider opportunities. The awards continue to push for homegrown solutions that address national challenges while fostering global competitiveness.
