In a four-day intensive workshop held from May 13 to 16, 2025, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), through its Innovation Office, empowered local innovators and MSMEs with critical knowledge in intellectual property through the IP Activity Writeshop: Patent Search and Drafting 2025 for MSMEs.
The capacity-building event, held at the university’s Business Development Center, convened aspiring patent holders from NwSSU’s various departments to delve into the foundations of patent documentation and protection – an essential step toward commercializing innovation and safeguarding original ideas.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ramil S. Catamora emphasized the growing need for inventors to understand intellectual property landscape, especially in the context of local enterprise development and academic research.
Throughout the writeshop, subject matter experts from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) led hands-on sessions, including patent search, claim drafting, specification writing, and formatting of technical drawings. Afternoon sessions also included an open forum and evaluation following the workshops lead by the guest speakers.
Mr. Romeo Jason L. Padulla, IP Specialist from IPOPHL, opened the series with in-depth discussions on patent search strategies and interpreting International Patent Classification (IPC) codes. Succeeding sessions were conducted by Engr. Eric C. Paden, Assistant Division Chief of the IPOPHL Regional Operations Division, who guided participants through the technical processes of claim drafting, specification writing, and patent drawing standards.
The writeshop concluded with closing remarks from Ervin L. Rodriguez, Director of the Innovation Office, who highlighted the University’s commitment to nurturing innovation and transforming research outputs into protected, impactful technologies.
With this initiative, NwSSU reinforces its role as a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusive innovation in the region.