After undergoing a thorough vetting process, the DSWD Intellectual Property Policy was recently approved and formalized on 18 March 2024 as Administrative Order No.5 series of 2024.
This achievement is one of the vital safeguards developed in line with pervasive internet use and the national government’s drive towards digitalization. While digital information provides convenience and flexibility, it comes with underlying issues harmful to innovation. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has noted a growing number of intellectual property violations since 2015, with the bulk consisting of unauthorized use of copyright works, followed by counterfeiting and piracy. Sadly, these violations are prevalent and have become a norm.
DSWD is at the forefront in developing innovations to improve social welfare and protection programs. Most have gained recognition not only by other agencies and LGUs but also countries in Asia and Indo-Pacific who have sent delegations to study or benchmark programs enhanced by such innovations. Hence, recognition for the need of an Intellectual Property Policy started in May 2022, when the Social Welfare Institutional Development Bureau (SWIDB) engaged with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the National Book Development Board, and the National Library of the Philippines. This gave the Bureau a functional knowledge in drafting a policy, culminating in a workshop with other offices, bureaus, and services (OBS) in September of the same year.
The objective of the DSWD IP Policy is to encourage DSWD personnel in developing inventions, innovations, and creative work for the betterment of the delivery of SWD programs and services; set the limitations for the use of the Department's works; define ownership of works made at the level of DSWD and in collaboration with the Department's partners and stakeholders; set conditions for works commissioned by the Department with private entities or partners; and set the framework for technology transfer and utilization of intellectual property assets produced at the level of DSWD and/or in partnership with local, international, public, and/or private entities.
Aside from the fulfillment of its objectives, the DSWD IP Policy affords advantages, to the Department by raising its credibility and prominence in the field of social welfare and protective services in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. This heightened value enables it to project a competitive edge over similar departments in neighboring countries, who would be unable to simply copy DSWD’s programs, processes, and procedures without due recognition and remunerative agreements. This would also trigger the interests of international aid organizations to extend resources to the Department for further program development and allow replication.