THE National Inventors’ Week (NIW) 2024, organized by the Rizal Inventors and Innovators Society, Inc. (RIISI) in partnership with various inventors’ organizations, supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), highlights Filipino ingenuity from November 25-28 at the SMX Convention Center Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
NIW 2024 opened on November 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and featured over 65 booths displaying groundbreaking Filipino-made inventions and innovations. The event also included product pitching sessions, giving inventors a chance to present their ideas to potential investors and collaborators, fostering opportunities for commercialization.
Engr. Archie Melano, RIISI President, expressed gratitude for the continuous efforts of Filipino inventors to improve society through innovation. National Innovation Council (NIC) executive member Ria Canlas stressed the importance of creating an ecosystem that supports inventors, including the push for regulatory sandboxes—controlled environments where innovators can test ideas with relaxed regulations. This approach lowers barriers Highlighting the importance of addressing real-world problems, NIC executive member Mark Sultan Gersava emphasized innovation’s role in tackling critical issues such as plastic pollution. “Innovation doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about solving what matters most to our country,” he stated. Gersava, the youngest member of the NIC, also commended young innovators and their potential to drive change.
Similarly, Mon Ibrahim, NIC executive member and advocate for technology-driven growth, called for continued support for young inventors, reiterating that innovation is key to economic progress.
The annual NIW, rooted in the principles of Republic Act 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, aligns with the country’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. The law emphasizes creating an environment that supports local innovators and ensures their contributions are recognized and nurtured.
With the theme “Imbensyon at Inobasyon – Susi sa Kaunlaran” the event aims to showcase how homegrown innovations can drive national development. Erika Sinaking
