President Marcos pledges stronger support for Filipino inventors, innovators

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged stronger government support for Filipino inventors and innovators on Tuesday.

This commitment reaffirms the administration's push to advance innovation across the country.

Marcos made the statement during the 2026 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) awarding ceremony held at Malacañang Palace.

During the event, the President emphasized that innovation is vital for driving economic growth and improving everyday life.

A central theme of the address was the necessity for ideas to move beyond the development phase and successfully reach the market to provide tangible benefits to the public.

“Hindi naman maikakaila na mahirap ang paglikha. Maraming pagsubok ang kailangang lampasan tulad ng kakulangan sa pondo at limitadong access sa makabagong teknolohiya. Ngunit, higit pa rito, ang tunay na hamon ay kung paano ito madadala sa merkado upang mapakinabangan kaagad ng nakararami,” the President said.

“As President, I do not accept that there should be an uncertain future for our inventors. They have world-changing ideas, and we must watch them – we cannot watch them wither on the vine due to lack of institutional support. And this is why I have given instructions to the Department of Science and Technology and all other relevant government agencies to strengthen financial and technical support for our inventors,” he added.

The President said programs under the Department of Science and Technology and its Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) are instrumental in providing innovators with enhanced access to research and development grants, intellectual property protection, and technology development.

These programs also support financing, commercialization, and increased global exposure for local innovations.

He mentioned that these initiatives are designed to ensure innovations “move forward to create a real and lasting impact.”

Out of 764 nationwide entries, 28 finalists have advanced in this year’s NICE competition.

The winning entries include:

• Tuklas Award: A compact neutron radiation measuring device and an affordable herbal cream for viral skin conditions.

• Banghay Award (Industrial Design): A multi-grain precision seeder with a fertilizer applicator.

• Likha Award (Creative Research): An on-site African Swine Fever detection system.

• Sibol Award (Outstanding student creative research): An AI-powered optical chick counting device

  
  

“These are precisely the kinds of innovations that we seek, ones that offer solutions to real-world challenges and improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos.Nakakatuwangsabihin na sa mga imbensyon at pananaliksik nainyongpinaghirapan ay makikita natin ang sipag, ang talento, at talino ng mga Pinoy,” the President said.

“Please rest assured, your government will always stand with you, ready to support you on your journey,” he added.

Winners will receive cash prizes and formal recognition for their contributions.

The President encouraged all Filipinos to continue nurturing creativity and innovation, highlighting their vital role in driving national progress.

“To every Filipino, let us all continue dreaming and follow their example. Continue dreaming and never stop creating. Naniniwala ako na ang inyong mga imbensyon ay may kakayahang magbago ng buhay at sa ganoon, ng bansa,” the President said.

-Paraluman News