Three standout innovators from the Visayas region have secured their spots in the national finals of the Filipinnovation Awards 2025, following their victories at the Visayas Sub-National Competition on July 17. The competition, organized by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office 7 in partnership with the National Innovation Council (NIC), showcased groundbreaking solutions aimed at addressing key challenges.
The three finalists who topped a field of 11 semi-finalists are:
- GRADECHUM: An AI-powered grading assistant that automates the checking of handwritten exams, developed by CodeChum Software Solutions Inc. (Region 7)
- Rezbin: A smart recycling system designed for communities, created by Rezbin Waste Technology Inc. (Region 6)
- The OBTD (Oil-based Thermal Disinfection): A technology for treating hospital wastes, developed by FILARB Waste Management Services (Region 6)
The competition featured live pitching and demonstration sessions, where participants presented the real-world applications of their innovations to a panel of judges and stakeholders. Their solutions tackled critical issues in food and agribusiness, learning and education, and health and well-being.
In a message to the participants, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan urged the youth to “take part” and “cultivate a drive to create something better.” He emphasized that innovation is a key pillar of the country’s socioeconomic transformation and requires a unified effort from all sectors to build a more inclusive and competitive Philippines.
DEPDev Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos highlighted the awards as a “celebration of Filipino resilience and creativity,” bringing together “dreamers, investors, and allies.” He underscored the importance of collaboration between the private sector, academe, and civil society in translating the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 into tangible results like better jobs and thriving communities.
Tirso A. Ronquillo, Executive Member of the NIC, explained that Filipinnovation is not just about technology but also a “cultural transformation.” He said it challenges all sectors to view innovation as an essential tool for solving problems, growing economies, and building resilient communities.
Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who chairs the Visayas Sub-National Committee, stressed the government’s role in cultivating an ecosystem where ideas can flourish and become real-world solutions. He described the Filipinnovation Awards as a powerful “tool and platform for change.”
The Filipinnovation Awards, a flagship initiative of the NIC under the Philippine Innovation Act (Republic Act No. 11293), is designed to promote inclusive and transformative innovation nationwide. The competition is structured to ensure regional representation, with participants grouped into four geographic clusters: NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Finalists from each cluster will compete at the national level.
The NCR and Luzon Sub-National Competitions have already concluded, while the Mindanao competition is scheduled for August. Eastern Visayas is set to host the 2026 Visayas Sub-National Competition, reinforcing the government’s commitment to advancing regional innovation ecosystems across the country.
