NOCCI and IPOPHL Discuss Collaboration for Negros Island Region Growth

Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) President Edward Du had a meeting with Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Deputy Director General for Operations Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan in Dumaguete City. The meeting was intended to explore possible areas of collaboration between NOCCI and IPOPHL.  During the said meeting, President Du also expressed his gratitude to IPOPHL Deputy Director Cabochan for the agency’s full support to the newly-created Negros Island Region (NIR). The two officials are looking forward to forging stronger collaboration  between NOCCI and IPOPHL under the NIR.

NOCCI Explores Collaboration with IPOPHL for Negros Island Region Development

The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), led by President Edward Du, held a strategic meeting with Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan, Deputy Director General for Operations of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The meeting, which took place in Dumaguete City, focused on exploring potential areas of collaboration aimed at enhancing intellectual property awareness and business development within the newly-established Negros Island Region (NIR).

President Du welcomed Atty. Cabochan to the province and expressed NOCCI’s eagerness to work with IPOPHL on various initiatives that would benefit the local business community, particularly in protecting and leveraging intellectual property rights (IPR). The two officials discussed key areas where IPOPHL’s expertise could complement NOCCI’s efforts to promote economic growth in the region.

Strengthening Intellectual Property Awareness

One of the central points of discussion during the meeting was the importance of intellectual property in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the Negros Island Region. Both Du and Cabochan agreed that increasing IPR awareness among local businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), is crucial for fostering sustainable growth in the area.

Du emphasized that many businesses in Negros Oriental and the surrounding region have yet to fully understand the value of intellectual property in protecting their brands, products, and innovations. By collaborating with IPOPHL, NOCCI hopes to provide its members with the necessary resources and education to better navigate the intellectual property landscape.

“IPR protection is critical in today’s business environment, especially as our province continues to attract new investments and grow its entrepreneurial base. We look forward to working with IPOPHL to help our members secure and maximize their intellectual property,” Du said.

Atty. Cabochan echoed Du’s sentiments, adding that IPOPHL is committed to providing accessible services to businesses in the Negros Island Region. She highlighted the agency’s various programs, including the Intellectual Property Satellite Offices (IPSOs), which are designed to bring IPOPHL services closer to local businesses and innovators.

IPOPHL’s Support for the Negros Island Region

During the meeting, President Du took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Atty. Cabochan for IPOPHL’s continued support of the newly-created Negros Island Region. The creation of NIR has brought renewed focus on regional development, and both NOCCI and IPOPHL see it as an opportunity to strengthen the local economy through innovation and intellectual property protection.

Du noted that as NIR moves forward with its economic plans, protecting local innovations and ensuring that businesses are well-versed in intellectual property matters will be critical. He acknowledged IPOPHL’s role in this regard and thanked the agency for its proactive approach.

“The support of IPOPHL is invaluable as we continue to build the foundation for sustainable economic development in the Negros Island Region. Intellectual property will play a key role in this journey, and we are grateful for IPOPHL’s commitment,” Du added.

Atty. Cabochan reaffirmed IPOPHL’s dedication to working closely with NOCCI and other stakeholders in the region, noting that the agency’s programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of regional businesses. She expressed optimism about the potential for stronger collaboration under the NIR framework.

Forging Stronger Ties Between NOCCI and IPOPHL

Looking ahead, both NOCCI and IPOPHL are eager to formalize their collaboration through various initiatives that will support the development of local businesses. These initiatives could include capacity-building workshops, IPR consultations, and partnerships with local universities to promote innovation and technology transfer.

Du and Cabochan also discussed the possibility of establishing an Intellectual Property Satellite Office (IPSO) in Negros Oriental to make IPOPHL’s services more accessible to businesses in the province. The IPSO would serve as a one-stop hub where entrepreneurs and MSMEs can receive guidance on registering trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

As the meeting concluded, both officials expressed confidence in the positive impact that a NOCCI-IPOPHL partnership could have on the region’s economic development. They agreed to continue discussions and explore concrete steps for implementing collaborative projects in the near future.

The collaboration between NOCCI and IPOPHL marks a significant step toward bolstering intellectual property protection and business development in the Negros Island Region. By working together, both organizations aim to create an environment where innovation can thrive, local businesses can grow, and the region can become a hub of intellectual property-driven economic activities.

As NIR continues to take shape, NOCCI remains committed to forging strategic partnerships with key national agencies like IPOPHL to ensure that the business community is equipped with the tools and knowledge it needs to succeed.

With the support of IPOPHL and other stakeholders, NOCCI is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business and innovation in the Negros Island Region.