Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual urged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to pursue inventive endeavors that advance positive societal transformation.
Speaking at the 2024 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards Night, hosted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Secretary Pascual emphasized the crucial role of intellectual property in safeguarding Filipinos’ innovative pursuits and ensuring that they contribute significantly to the country’s economic and social development.
“Many of our MSMEs, armed with registered IPs, are at the forefront of pioneering sustainable products and technologies, drawing investments, and penetrating new markets. Safeguarding their IP rights is essential, as it augments their market presence and enhances their company valuations,” he said.
The DTI has been at the forefront of several initiatives to boost industry competitiveness. Particularly, the DTI has launched the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project, which provides MSMEs access to machinery, equipment, and technical expertise, transforming IPs into commercially viable products.
Additionally, the enforcement efforts by the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR), chaired by IPOPHL, have been developing and implementing strategies to strengthen IP rights protection across the Philippines.
The DTI has introduced programs such as the Global Acceleration Program and the recent Startup Venture Fund to boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide a healthy environment for it to flourish.
The agency is also in the works in establishing the National Innovation Gateway, envisioned to house state-of-the-art facilities such as the Center for AI Research, the Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory, the SME AI Academy, and startup incubation and acceleration centers.
Moreover, the DTI has partnered with other agencies, such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), to establish Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers (RIICs), which will serve as catalysts for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Central to our national economic agenda is the ethos of innovation, a cornerstone of the cross-cutting strategies encapsulated in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028,” the DTI chief said as he acknowledged that innovation is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will transform the country into a Smart and Innovative Philippines by 2032.
Themed “IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity,” the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards Night was a special occasion for deserving individuals, organizations, and institutions that have made significant contributions to promoting creativity and innovation through IP.