Trade chief highlights DTI’s promotion of IP in PHL industries

Recognizing the significant role of intellectual property (IP) in our pursuit of national development, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual highlighted the DTI’s efforts to advance the growth of creative industries through IP during the Women in IP: 2023 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night held on 26 April 2023.

During his keynote speech, Secretary Pascual shared, “As the mother agency of IPOPHL, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believes that IP is vital to boosting the innovative and creative capacity of Filipinos. IP enables artists, inventors, and other creators to earn recognition from and hold value from their work. And when creators find that their work is protected while contributing to the public interest, we foster an enabling environment where creativity and innovation can thrive.”

The Gawad Yamang Isip (GYI) Awards and Fashion Night is the most prestigious intellectual property (IP) awards in the country that recognizes Filipinos who have shown distinct creativeness and talent in their respective fields through their IP rights. This year’s theme “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” marks another milestone in GYI as it encourages businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to navigate the IP system in their operations.

“IP is integral to the protection of our people’s creativity and contributes to industry growth and economic development. This is why DTI is united with IPOPHL in promoting IP in businesses—especially among our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). We are keen on assisting our women business leaders, who are on top of 313,608 businesses in the country,” DTI Chief added.

DTI is steadfast in supporting Philippine industries in pursuing sustainable economic development. Particularly, women-led enterprises are given access to financing through the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp). It offers programs such as Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3), which provides affordable interest rates and charges for enterprises with small asset sizes. Also, SBCorp has Bayanihan CARES, an interest- and collateral-free financing program for MSMEs.

Further, the Department remains committed to assisting women entrepreneurs through initiatives such as Rural Agro-industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development Growth Project, She Trades Philippines, and Investing in Women Asia.

As IP integrates with the changing global market through digital transformation, DTI has been enacting science, technology, and innovation (STI) driven strategies. The Department ensures that MSMEs —the backbone of our economy—becomes globally competitive in their products and services.

Further, to incentivize businesses in developing their IP assets DTI has been working with IPOPHL in capacitating MSMEs on their IP rights. DTI has also partnered with IPOPHL and private sector organizations in the “Juan for the World” (JFTW) Program. This enables our MSMEs to protect their trademarks while competing in global markets.

Secretary Pascual also mentioned that developing IP assets of Philippines industries align with other key priorities of DTI such as (1) Pursuing innovation goals through a whole-of-government approach and (2) Promoting the country’s creative sector. To further advance the creative industry, DTI launched the “Malikhaing Pinoy” to upskill Filipino creative workers and innovate enterprises.

In pursuing robust economic growth and expansion of industries through IP, Secretary Pascual also added that “I hope that tonight’s Gawad Yamang Isip awardees—and their work—will inspire our people to develop their talent and ingenuity, grow our IP, and continue reaching for excellence through innovation and creativity. The success of our artists and creators enables our nation to develop globally competitive and innovative industries. And these, in turn, support our aim of inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and quality of life for all Filipinos.”

The GYI Awards and Fashion Night is also attended by Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Romualdez Marcos, IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Cabochan, awardees, and other private and public stakeholders.