IPOPHL Launches Regional IP Development Plan in Western Visayas

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) launched its Regional Development Plan on Intellectual Property (RDPIP) in Western Visayas, aiming to enhance intellectual property (IP) literacy, protection, and commercialization in the region.

The RDPIP was unveiled during the IP Convention in Iloilo, the culminating event of the Western Visayas Innovative Startup Fest 2024.

The three-year initiative is designed to address the unique IP needs of regions across the country.

IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said the plan seeks to align IP strategies with local strengths and challenges while promoting collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, and private enterprises.

The plan outlines key activities, including conducting needs assessments, organizing consultative meetings, and launching regional events to facilitate knowledge sharing and innovation.

Western Visayas, known for its agricultural base and emerging tech sectors, is expected to benefit from the initiative by supporting startups, small businesses, and local industries.

The plan will also expand to other regions, including Cagayan Valley.

IPOPHL’s Documentation, Information, and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB) Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan described the RDPIP as a movement toward sustainable regional growth, encouraging stakeholders to participate actively in fostering innovation.

“Each region has its unique story to tell, and it is time for those stories of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship to be shared and celebrated through the RDPIP,” Alindogan said.

The Western Visayas rollout marks the beginning of IPOPHL’s broader effort to strengthen IP landscapes across the country, positioning the region as a key player in the national innovation ecosystem.