Filipino innovators must secure IP rights before competing for top national awards

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is urging local innovators to protect their inventions before entering the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards. This prestigious competition recognises early-stage or market-ready technologies that boost national development. Winners receive grants, support, and the country's highest honour for innovation.

The awards require all entries to have registered intellectual property (IP) or at least a pending application. A functional prototype or working model must also be submitted. IPOPHL stresses that IP registration secures inventions, attracts investors, and helps businesses expand into new markets.

Eligible applicants include Filipino citizens or enterprises with at least 60 percent local ownership. These businesses must also be registered with the relevant government agencies. The goal is to turn Filipino innovations into competitive products with global potential.

Five finalists will be selected for the Presidential Filipinnovation Award. Each will receive financial grants and ongoing support after the competition. The last available records of this award date back to 2016, though Philippine agencies were recently recognised at the GovInsider Festival of Innovation in March 2026.

The awards aim to push Filipino inventions into viable businesses while strengthening their market presence. By securing IP protection, innovators gain legal safeguards and better opportunities for growth. The competition remains the top national platform for celebrating homegrown technological advancements.