TUGUEGARAO CITY – In a joint effort, the DA-BFAR 2 and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, officially unveiled the DA-BFAR 2 Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office marker permanently mounted at the office façade to solidify the two agencies’ collaborative partnership in its research and development initiatives in technology innovations on March 14, 2025.

Established in October 1, 2023, the BFAR Dos IP-TBM is lodged under the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE)Program in Cagayan Valley. 

Being the only BFAR regional office granted with an IP-TBM Office alongside with academic institutions in Region 02, Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion said that this significant milestone highlights the agency’s science-based management and transformative collaboration with other consortium members.

Meantime, in a keynote address, Dir. Noel A. Catibog, Director, Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, DOST-PCAARRD he lauded the members of RAISE Region 2 for its unity and cohesiveness which makes it unique out from the 100 RAISE programs countrywide. Further, he challenged RD Encarnacion and his office to extend its arms to reach other BFAR regions and promote awareness on the importance of securing copyright and trademark registration of its technology innovations. 

Likewise, “The IP-TBM Office is not merely a symbolic act, it is a commitment – pledge that the research and inventions we develop will no longer remain on the shelves of laboratories, but will be transformed into real-world solutions, that uplift lives, strengthen industries, and shape a more resilient future”, quoted from Regional Director Virginia G. Bilgera of DOST RO 2 as delivered by Engr. Jayferson Mabborang, OIC-Director, Provincial Science and Technology Office-Cagayan. 

Dr. Miladis Mabutol, Director, Cagayan Valley Agricultural, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development graced the event and was joined by representatives from consortium members from the Isabela State University, Cagayan State University-Aparri, Batanes State College, Nueva Vizcaya State University, and Quirino State University and other distinguished guests from DOST-PCAARRD, DOST RO2, and DA-BFAR 2.  

With office, at the second level main building within the Human Resource Management Unit, the IPTBM provides guidance and support to staff and businesses assisted by the agency on IP-related matters such as filing IP applications, administering IP, conducting prior art search, reviewing the value of an IP, making response to office actions or oppositions, constructing appeals, and determining the most viable commercialization or extension mode for the technologies.