THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said it has entered into a partnership with the Local Government Academy (LGA) to promote intellectual property (IP) rights at the local government unit (LGU) level.
In a statement on Monday, IPOPHL said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the LGA on Feb. 7 to pursue IP education, development, and training programs for LGUs.
The LGA is an agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The LGA “will craft its own IP policy and encourage LGUs to adopt IP-related innovations and best practices, ensuring their compliance with IP-related laws and policies,” IPOPHL said.
IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said the partnership will help increase awareness of IP system at grassroots level.
Nelson P. Laluces, IPOPHL director general, said the partnership will allow LGUs to increase their ranking in the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) following the addition of IP protection in its metrics.
The CMCI measures LGUs’ economic dynamism, efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave