President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now eyeing government partnerships with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to usher in the country’s innovation renaissance or “Filipinnovation” by boosting the competitiveness of local research and development initiatives.
In his remarks delivered by Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual for the WIPO Asian Regional Conference in Support of Accelerated Life Sciences Innovation-Skills Development and Capacity Building, the Chief Executive ordered the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to enter in the said partnership to “strengthen the country’s IP regime.”
The initiative is expected to help improve the country’s Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings.
“We believe that by addressing gaps and challenges in innovation inputs and outputs indices as well as in making continued investments in our educational and research institutions, we will reach this dream in no time,” Marcos said.
The GII was established by the WIPO to measure the innovation strengths and weaknesses of several countries.
Currently, the Philippines ranks 59th in the GII, which include 132 countries worldwide.
The Marcos administration wants to elevate the country to the top one-third of the list by 2028.
Last July, the President approved the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023-2032 to help improve the country’s GII rankings.
Among provisions, NIASD is encouraging Filipino scientists abroad to return home and contribute to nation building through the Balik Scientist Program, promoting the utilization and commercialization of technologies through various programs such as the IP Rights Assistance Program.
It also includes Tax and Duty Exemption Assistance Program; the Technology Innovation and Commercialization Program; and the Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth Program.
Marcos said he hopes the WIPO conference will also help facilitate more innovative initiatives in the country.
He assured participants of the event of the government’s full commitment and support.
“I have the highest hopes that this conference—through the researchers’ findings and innovations as well as collaborations from the academe—would help create, discover, and adopt more impactful innovations for the benefit of our peoples and our global healthcare system,” Marcos said.
