In a step toward advancing agricultural innovation, the Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) staff of DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Midsayap, North Cotabato, recently enhanced their capacity to safeguard groundbreaking research through an intensive Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness Training Workshop.
This transformative training equipped researchers with critical knowledge and skills on the full spectrum of IP management—from filing to protecting and leveraging intellectual property—to ensure that PhilRice’s cutting-edge innovations are legally secured and maximized for the benefit of Filipino rice farmers.
A highlight of the workshop was the hands-on patent drafting and consultation sessions, where participants gained invaluable experience in preparing precise and innovative patent documents. These sessions underscored the vital role of clarity, accuracy, and creativity in crafting strong patent applications that stand up to rigorous evaluation.
“The training profoundly deepened my understanding of intellectual property as not only a shield for research but also as a powerful engine for innovation,” shared Isagane V. Boholano, one of the workshop participants.
“It reinforced that protecting research outputs is a shared responsibility, reflecting the Institute’s core values, and inspiring me to see IP as a pathway to translate research into real-world benefits for rice-farming communities,” he added.
Led by Atty. Jerry C. Serapion, manager of the Intellectual Property Management–Innovation and Technology Support Office at PhilRice’s Business Development Division, alongside Dr. Gina D. Balleras of PhilRice Midsayap, the training emphasized that protecting innovations transcends individual efforts—highlighting a collective commitment that fuels the Institute’s mission to uplift agriculture through science and technology.
With this strengthened IP awareness and expertise, the PhilRice Midsayap R4DE team is now better equipped to protect and propel research innovations from the laboratory to the fields—ensuring that breakthroughs in rice science effectively reach and empower the nation’s farmers.
