Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. emphasized the vital role of intellectual property (IP) as it stands as a beacon of transformative power, igniting creativity and shaping the trajectory of nations.

During the DOST's virtual flag-raising ceremony on April 1, Solidum's message resonated with a profound understanding of intellectual property's pivotal role in fostering innovation and addressing pressing global concerns. He emphasized that intellectual property transcends mere protection of ideas; it serves as a catalyst for leveraging creativity to tackle the monumental challenges outlined in the SDGs.

"In celebrating National IP Month, let us not only safeguard ideas but utilize them as powerful tools for positive change," Secretary Solidum urged, illuminating the crucial link between intellectual property and the pursuit of a better world. He highlighted how the DOST, as a vanguard of scientific advancement, plays a pivotal role in harnessing innovation to benefit Filipino society.

The Philippines observes National Intellectual Property Month every April by virtue of Proclamation No. 190 which was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on April 4, 2017. 

The proclamation was made to align the country’s programs and activities to the scale of global intellectual property celebrations.

The National Intellectual Property Month is a time to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of creativity, ingenuity, and innovation to the nation's progress and development. This annual celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role that IP plays in fostering economic growth, promoting cultural diversity, and safeguarding the rights of creators and innovators.

At its core, intellectual property encompasses a wide range of intangible assets, including inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs. These creations are the fruits of human intellect, imagination, and hard work, deserving of legal protection and recognition. By upholding IP rights, we not only reward the efforts of individuals and organizations but also encourage further innovation, ultimately benefiting the Philippines as a whole.

The observance is also a time to reflect on the profound impact of intellectual property on the country's collective journey towards sustainable development.

Guided by the pillars of promoting Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, and Sustainability, the DOST remains steadfast in championing initiatives that embody these principles. 

He emphasized the department's commitment to technology transfer and commercialization, ensuring that groundbreaking innovations reach those who need them most, thereby catalyzing progress and prosperity nationwide.

These endeavors exemplify the department's collaborative spirit, forging partnerships with local government units, educational institutions, and communities to promote accessible education and scientific literacy.

"These events serve as a testament to our collective endeavor towards community development, illustrating the tangible impact of our work on the lives of Filipinos," he said, encapsulating the essence of the DOST's mission to empower communities through science and technology.

For his part, Rowel S. Barba, director-general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), aptly describes this year's celebration as "bitter-sweet," encapsulating both the strides made and the challenges that lie ahead. 

"But as inconvenient as the truth may be, we need to heed the clarion call to take sustainable development seriously," he said. IPOPHL is a government agency in charge of registration of intellectual property and conflict resolution of intellectual property rights in the Philippines.

The theme for this year's National Intellectual Property Month, "IP and SDGs," echoes the urgent call to action for "people, planet, peace and prosperity" set forth by the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

"The theme was set by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for World IP Day on 26 April 2024. But halfway to the deadline of achieving the SDGs by 2030, we find our progress at a very dismal pace," Director-General Barba said.

As the Philippines approach the halfway mark to achieving these ambitious targets by 2030, the reality of the country's progress, however, paints a sobering picture. 

"More than 30 percent of the measurable targets have recorded zero progress. Even worse, some have regressed to levels before 2015 when the SDG 2030 was adopted. In total, only 15 percent of the targets are making progress. None of them are halfway towards the desired results," he explained.

In the face of unprecedented challenges such as climate change, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent economic inequalities, the urgency to prioritize sustainable development cannot be overstated. The IPOPHL chief highlights the need for SDGs to transcend mere rhetoric and become integral to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and business models. Only by centering our efforts on sustainable development can we pave the way for an equitable and prosperous future for all.

"What we need more than ever are leaders and changemakers who will renew and deepen our commitment in the next six years to inspire action. As the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 says, we need a more vigorous intellectual property culture to advance innovations in various aspects, whether in improving health care services, developing competitive industries, creating knowledge hubs across regions, protecting our culture, and adding value to our creative and innovative assets," he said.

IPOPHL's commitment to advancing SDGs is evident through its array of programs tailored to specific goals.

At IPOPHL, Barba said several programs and initiatives are already in place to make a bigger, more direct impact on SDGs: patent analytics services and our Innovation and Technology Support Program for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); Juana Make a Mark and Juana Patent and Juana Design Incentive Programs for SDG 5 (Gender Equality); Copyright Plus Program, Inventor Assistance Program and the origin-based branding project to promote geographical indications for SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities); and our whole-of-society approach in relation to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

"For all environment and climate-resilience related SDGs, our annual Socially Relevant Technologies emerges as a great platform to highlight green technologies," he added.

Additionally, IPOPHL's forthcoming Green Technology Incentive Program exemplifies its dedication to fostering environmentally sustainable innovations.

"Soon this year we hope to launch another program: the Green Technology Incentive Program. This new initiative aims to help green technology inventors protect their patents, utility models and industrial design applications by waiving basic filing fees — ranging from P4,000 to P5,000 per field of technology — and providing a green lane to speed up their application process," he said.

The National IP Month holds profound significance for Filipinos and the Philippines as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is a time for reflection, innovation, and collaboration—a time to harness the power of intellectual property to shape sustainable and equitable communities for generations to come. Through concerted efforts and unwavering commitment, we can turn the bitter-sweet celebration into a resounding success story of progress and prosperity for all.

Moreover, National IP Month also shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Filipino inventors, artists, writers, and entrepreneurs. It provides a platform to showcase their groundbreaking innovations, captivating works of art, and entrepreneurial endeavors, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. 

By recognizing and celebrating these accomplishments, we foster a culture of creativity and innovation that transcends borders and contributes to the global intellectual property landscape. (JCO/PIA-NCR)