The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently launched an Intellectual Property (IP) Help Desk in Pangasinan to help protect IP assets in the city that is fast rising to be a creative hub.
The IP Help Desk mainly aims to increase awareness on how creators, inventors and entrepreneurs can successfully use IPOPHL’s wide array of services — from IP search tools and registration to enforcement and mediation.
By providing wider access to such services, the IP Help Desk “plays a crucial role in integrating Pangasinenses into the creative ecosystem,” according to Deputy Director General (DDG) Ann Claire C. Cabochan who described the province as “truly well-positioned to be a major hub of Philippine creatives.”
“Pangasinan is a place where culture, creativity and tourism converge to create unique and unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike,” Cabochan said.
Director General Rowel S. Barba said that the creative vibrancy of Pangasinan is even poised to be recognized globally with Cong. Christopher “Toff” V.P de Venecia, Pangasinan’s fourth district representative, spearheading various initiatives to promote the province’s art scene.
“An avid advocate of the creative sector and a creative himself, Cong. Toff is a good partner of IPOPHL, very supportive of our thrust to protect the rights of Filipino artists and crack down on piracy,” said Barba, who also hails from Dagupan City.
Pangasinan ranks 21st out of 80 under the Most Competitive Province category of the 2022 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) which measures IP filings under the innovation pillar.
For trademarks alone, Pangasinan saw 2022 filings jump by 80% from 2021 applications, signifying an influx of new products and services that could help the province spring back from the downturn brought by the pandemic.
Cabochan identified the Bonuan or Dagupan Bangus as one of over 30 goods IPOPHL initially identified as potential geographical indications (GI). A GI is a sign that identifies products whose qualities and reputation are due to their geographic origins.
“Your community of Bonuan Bangus producers and traders will greatly benefit from registering as a GI with IPOPHL,” Cabochan told Pangasinenses, citing the success of the Champagne of France, the Parmigiano Reggiano of Italy and the Kampot Pepper of Cambodia in the global culinary world through the use of the GI scheme.
“Our IP Help Desk is just the start of IPOPHL’s support for Pangasinan. We look forward to providing expanded IP support in the future and see your province grow in creating, protecting and enforcing your highly valuable IP rights,” Barba added.
The Pangasinan IP Help Desk is the third in the Ilocos Region along with those in the DTI-La Union and DOST-La Union. Overall, it is the 15th IP Help Desk that IPOPHL has opened to date.
The Pangasinan unit is open on the third Tuesday and Wednesday of the month at 8:00AM – 5:00PM. It receives inquiries at its office at the 2nd floor, Star Bldg., Arellano St., Dagupan City, as well as through phone at 09667338194 and email at ipso-vigan@ipophil.gov.ph.