Reaffirming the government’s commitment to a future driven by Filipino ingenuity, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Tuesday to scale up financial and technical assistance for the nation’s inventors and innovators.
During the awarding ceremony of the 2026 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) held at Malacañan Palace, the President emphasized that innovation is the primary engine for national growth. He stressed that the government’s role must extend beyond mere recognition, ensuring that “world-changing ideas” successfully transition from the laboratory to the open market.
“I do not accept that there should be an uncertain future for our inventors,” President Marcos stated. “We cannot watch their ideas wither on the vine due to lack of institutional support. This is why I have given instructions to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and all relevant agencies to strengthen financial and technical support.”
The President acknowledged the significant hurdles faced by local creators, including funding shortages and limited access to modern technology. To address these, he highlighted the expanded services of the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), which now offers streamlined pathways for:
-
Research and Development (R&D) Grants
-
Intellectual Property (IP) Protection
-
Technology Financing and Commercialization
-
Global Market Exposure
The 2026 NICE competition saw 28 finalists emerge from a highly competitive pool of 764 entries nationwide. The President lauded the winners for providing tangible solutions to real-world challenges. Key award-winning innovations included:
-
Tuklas Award (Outstanding Inventions): 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 (ASF) detection system.
-
Sibol Award (Student Creative Research): An AI-powered optical chick counting device.
In his closing remarks, President Marcos urged the public to foster a culture of creativity, asserting that Filipino talent is the key to national transformation.
“To every Filipino, let us all continue dreaming and follow their example,” the President said. “I believe that your inventions have the power to change lives and, in doing so, change the country.”
The winners received monetary prizes and official accolades, marking a milestone in their journey toward commercializing their technologies for the benefit of the Filipino people.
