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By Heherson P. Valdez
PHILIPPiNEXT: The 1st International Conference and Exposition on Innovations (ICE on I) Official Cover Page (Photo reference from this website: tapi.dost.gov.ph/philippinext)
Manila, Philippines – The Philippines is set to take center stage in the global innovation ecosystem as it hosts the 1st International Conference and Exposition on Innovations (ICE on I), under the campaign banner “PHILIPPiNEXT” that stands for “Philippines’ International Exposition of Technologies”.
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) in collaboration with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), this event will be held from July 14 to 17, 2025, at the Okada Manila in Parañaque City, Philippines.
Approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines with funding coming from the International Commitment Fund (ICF) of the Office of the President, the event aims to bring together key stakeholders and experts from government, industry, academe, and the global innovation community to identify best practices and strategies for commercializing intellectual property (IP) assets.
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By Heherson Valdez
To increase public awareness of its programs, services, as well as its initiatives to the public, the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) unveiled its Digital Gate Campaign. This campaign also employs a strategic, pop-culture–inspired communication approach to laymanize complex science, technology, and innovation (STI) related information and make it instantly accessible.
Turning innovations into commercialized ventures in the Philippines comes with numerous challenges, including limited access to funding, a weak culture of innovation, and difficulties in connecting with both national and global networks. This was reflected in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII) by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where the Philippines ranked 53rd out of 133 economies, signaling moderate innovation capability and output. While this is commendable among lower-middle-income countries, it still falls short of international benchmarks.
Moreover, the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink revealed a further drop in ranking to 64th place, marking the country’s fourth consecutive year of decline. This trend highlights systemic issues in building and sustaining a globally-competitive startup ecosystem.
Although the Philippines is rich in homegrown innovations, many Filipino innovators and science-based enterprises continue to struggle with commercialization and adoption. A key factor is the lack of awareness about the government’s innovation-focused programs and services.
Through Digital Gate, DOST-TAPI seeks to break down these barriers by translating its programs and services into relatable, easy-to-digest content and making innovation more inclusive and accessible to all Filipinos.
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