As it marks a decade of helping underresourced inventors through the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) celebrated the milestone on Wednesday with the grant of the program’s fourth patent.

The patent was granted to mechanical engineer Arniel M. Cunahap, covering a coconut sap extraction machine designed to help mananguete, or coconut sap gatherers, reduce the physical demands of their work and improve their earning potential. The invention holds personal significance for Cunahap, whose father worked as a mananguete and inspired him to develop a solution to the challenges faced by workers in the trade.

Cunahap (third from right) with his patent certificate, accompanied (from left) by Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan of the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB), Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director Cristina P. De Guzman of the Bureau of Patents, Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan, Director General Teodoro C. Pascua, WIPO Head of the IP Commercialization Section Allison Mages and DITTB Assistant Director Chamlette D. Garcia

During the 10^th anniversary celebration of the launch of the IAP in the Philippines, Cunahap thanked IPOPHL for its guidance throughout the patent application process, citing the encouragement and approachability of the volunteer patent officer.

“It changed my perspective. I thought drafting a patent would be hard; you need to be an agent or an attorney, to be an expert. But with the help of IPOPHL and AIM-DBI (Asian Institute of Management – Dado Banatao Incubator, one of IPOPHL’s innovation and commercialization partners), it was very easy,” Cunahap said.

Cunahap’s experience underscores the value of targeted assistance in a system that many independent inventors find difficult to navigate on their own.

Lowering barriers to patent protection for Filipino inventors

According to WIPO Head of the IP Commercialization Section Allison Mages, more than half of inventors around the world who attempt to pursue patent protection without professional support abandon the process before substantive examination.

The IAP aims to reverse this trend by helping inventors navigate the patent system through free technical assistance and expert commercialization support. As the third country in the world to implement the program in 2016, the Philippines has been at the forefront of efforts to make innovation support more accessible to underresourced inventors.

IPOPHL Director General Teodoro C. Pascua emphasized that innovation should not be constrained by access to expertise.

“Brilliant ideas can emerge from a university laboratory, a small workshop, a rural community or a startup operating on limited resources. Yet many promising inventions never reach their full potential because their creators lack the means to navigate the complex process of patent protection,” DG Pascua said.

DG Pascua delivering his keynote address at the IAP 10th anniversary event

He added that the IAP helps inventors maximize the value of their IP by opening pathways for commercialization, investment, technology transfer and business growth, helping to transform innovation into an engine for economic development.

WIPO Assistant Director General for the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector Marco M. Alemán noted that last year marked “a significant evolution for the program,” recognizing how it has expanded its services beyond patent drafting and prosecution toward offering more in-depth commercialization guidance.

Ways forward through institutional collaboration

With a decade of implementation under its belt, IPOPHL shared that the way forward for the program will put emphasis on strengthening collaboration through expanded partnerships.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan underscored the need to build a stronger, cross-cutting network to support innovators in navigating the full IP landscape.

“We must reach out to as many collaborators and stakeholders as we can for technical assistance and sharing of best practices to support IP right holders throughout their journey from filing to commercialization,” she said.

DDG Credo-Cabochan emphasizes the importance of collaboration in advancing the IAP’s long-term goals

IPOPHL paid tribute to the volunteer patent professionals who generously shared their time and expertise in support of Filipino inventors, recognizing them as a cornerstone of the IAP’s success.

To date, 34 volunteers from IPOPHL and its partner institutions have provided pro bono assistance. Their commitment was further demonstrated during the anniversary event, where they successfully assisted in completing two additional patent filings for Filipino inventors.

IPOPHL also recognized its Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) network, which serves as a key source of volunteer patent agents supporting the IAP.

Volunteer patent professionals were awarded certificates for their support to Filipino inventors through the IAP

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo’s closing message highlighted how the initiative has grown beyond patent facilitation into a driver of innovation and economic value.

“What began as an effort to help inventors navigate the patent system has become a powerful mechanism for unlocking the creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos. And as we look toward the future, we are reminded that innovation is not only about creating new solutions, but also creating opportunities, industries, jobs and economic value for our nation,” his message read. (Rawl Maliwat, Communications & Marketing Writer)