Memorandum Circular No. 78




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 78, March 7, 2025 ] DIRECTING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES TO SUPPORT THE FILIPINNOVATION AWARDS WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 or the "Philippine Innovation Act," declares it a policy of the State to foster innovation in the country as a vital component of national development and sustainable economic growth; WHEREAS, Section 11 of RA No. 11293 mandates the National Innovation Council (NIC) to develop strategies to promote the creation of new ideas that will be developed into new and quality products, processes, and services aimed at improving the welfare of and creating livelihood opportunities for low-income and marginalized groups; WHEREAS, the NIC, through Resolution No. 1 (s. 2024), resolved to approve the conduct of the National and Regional Innovation Awards and Competition (NRIAC) or the "Filipinnovation Awards;" WHEREAS, the Filipinnovation Awards is an annual competition that aims to: (i) bring out the best in Filipino innovators and level the playing field, allowing them to demonstrate their talents on equal footing; (ii) serve as a platform to leverage social marketing and social mobilization by connecting innovators with industry stakeholders, potential partners, and distribution channels and attract the attention of local and foreign investors; and (iii) ease the pathway for innovators to navigate the challenges of bringing their products to market, fostering a more robust innovation ecosystem in the Philippines; WHEREAS, the Filipinnovation Awards aims to highlight innovations that foster a dynamic innovation ecosystem in line with the transformation agenda set forth in RA No. 11293, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, and the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032; NOW THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered: All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby ordered, and all local government units and the private sector are hereby encouraged to extend full support and cooperation in the conduct of programs and activities for the Filipinnovation Awards. The Presidential Communications Office, in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority, is hereby directed to develop effective ways of disseminating information and raising awareness about the programs and activities for the Filipinnovation Awards. This Circular shall take effect immediately. DONE, in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 7th day of March Year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five. By authority of the President: (Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation