Marcos calls on IPOPHL to work with WIPO to strengthen PH's intellectual property regime

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called on the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to work with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to craft programs that will develop the country’s IP regime.

Marcos assured the country's international partners of its commitment to contribute to the global initiatives in health and life sciences research, development, and innovation.

He said the Philippines intends to usher in a renaissance of innovation or the so-called "FILIPINNOVATION," which aims to find modern-day solutions to its modern-day problems and make use of science and technology, especially research and development, in the pursuit of nation-building.

“I therefore encourage the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to collaborate closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization and all our partners present in this occasion to craft programs that will strengthen the country’s IP regime and contribute to our efforts in building the new Philippines that we aspire for,” Marcos said in a speech read by Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual at the World Intellectual Property Organization Asian Regional Conference in Support of Accelerated Life Sciences Innovation - Skills Development and Capacity Building on Monday.

“I also urge everyone here to work together and harness the power of science, technology, and innovation as a catalyst for our post-pandemic transformation and our inclusive and sustainable development moving forward," he added.

Marcos said his government had launched the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032, which is geared towards improving the country’s performance in the Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings.

The IPOPHL earlier identified more than 30 Filipino products that have potential in the global market. It said the products are potential registrants of the country’s geographical indication.

Marcos added that his administration continues to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to return home and contribute to nation-building through the Balik Scientist Program.

The government, through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), also continues to promote the utilization and commercialization of technologies through various programs such as the IP Rights Assistance Program; the Tax and Duty Exemption Assistance Program; the Technology Innovation and Commercialization Program; and the Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth Program.

Meanwhile, the President also raised the prospects in health innovation research in the country as he guaranteed participants of the government’s full commitment and support in ensuring the continued success and fruition of these endeavors.

“I have the highest hopes that this conference—through the researchers’ findings and innovations as well as collaborations from the academe—would help create, discover, and adopt more impactful innovations for the benefit of our peoples and our global healthcare system,” Marcos said.

At present, the Philippines ranks 59th in the GII, with Marcos saying that the goal of his administration is to elevate the country to the top one-third of the economy by 2028 in terms of the GII. —KG, GMA Integrated News