The DTI Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI CAR) was recognized as the region with the highest filings under the Juana Make a Mark Program from 2019 to 2021, with 308 filings, at the 2022 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City, on 6 June 2022. DTI-CAR OIC Regional Director Juliet P. Lucas and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Division Chief Felicitas Bandonill received the award on behalf of the region.

The Awarding Ceremony, with the theme “Creating a Silver Bright Future,”, served as an avenue for the IPOPHL to thank its partners for the past 25 years. For the regions with the highest filings under the Juana Make a Mark Program 2019-2021, the DTI CAR (first); DTI Region 12-Soccsksargen (second); and DTI National Capital Region (third) were recognized.

The “Juana Make a Mark” is a trademark registration incentive program that allows the eligible Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to have their trademarks registered at a reduced cost. 1000 slots are given annually under the Juana Make a Mark, which is shared across the country. Through this program, IPOPHL aims to instill the ‘first-mover filing’ mindset amongst MSMEs, which is to file for trademark registration before establishing a business to ensure availability of and secure exclusivity over the mark before the enterprise incurs expenses related to promoting its goods or services such as for packaging and marketing. The program waives certain fees in line with the trademark registration provided that they meet the requirements set by the IPOPHL and that they are included in the number of slots per year.

IPOPHL Director-General Rowel Barba hopes to receive more applications for intellectual property rights, trademarks, and patents to service Filipino innovators and creatives. The agency also recognized ten IP champions as well as seven Gawad Isip Awardees that helped improve Filipinos’ quality of life through innovation and creativity.

To file under the Juana Make a Mark program, you may visit the IPOPHL office or DTI Regional and Provincial Office near you. You may also get in touch with the IP Field Specialist for CAR, Ms. Jeanne Dangkeo at jeanne.dugui-es@ipophil.gov.ph or (074) 442-7859. ♦

Date of Release: 10 June 2022