JUNE 21, 2025 — Three outstanding innovators from Luzon have secured their spots in the national finals of the 2025 Filipinnovation Awards, following their success at the Luzon Sub-National Competition held on June 18, 2025 in Legazpi City. The event was organized by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office 5, in partnership with the National Innovation Council (NIC). The finalists are:
- Palatak Palay Seeder of Farmwell Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing
- Pili Seal of Pili AdheSeal Inc.
- Rainfold of LITHOS Manufacturing OPC
These homegrown innovations emerged as top contenders among 11 semi-finalists from across Luzon, each presenting solutions to critical challenges in food and agribusiness, learning and education, and health and well-being.
DEPDev Assistant Secretary Agnes E. Tolentino underscored the shared responsibility of fostering innovation and called on all stakeholders to collaborate in building a competitive, inclusive, and future-ready Philippine economy—one that values people, the planet, and progress.
“As we celebrate this gathering of brilliant minds, let us embrace our collective duty to build a supportive ecosystem that encourages innovation while upholding ethical standards, environmental sustainability, and workforce development,” Tolentino said.
The event featured live pitching and demonstration sessions, allowing participants to showcase the practical and real-world applications of their innovations and engage directly with judges and stakeholders.
“Innovation begins in our communities—in farms, classrooms, clinics, streets, and homes. It is rooted in lived experience, fueled by purpose, and grows with the right support. These finalists represent that hope,” said Dr. Gisela Concepcion, Executive Member of the National Innovation Council.
“This event is more than a competition. It is a celebration of Filipino ingenuity and the strong spirit of our communities, who creatively solve problems that affect their daily lives. These semi-finalists prove that impactful innovation flourishes in the regions, driven by real needs and local determination,” added Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla, chair of the Luzon Sub-National Committee and Bicol Regional Development Council.
DEPDev Regional Director Edna Cynthia S. Berces highlighted that innovation is a process of continuous refinement aimed at building a better future. She also introduced the Bicolano word TAIS, which means “to sharpen”, as an acronym for Transformation, Adaptability, Inspiration, and Sustainability.
The MIMAROPA Region is set to host the 2026 Luzon Sub-National Competition, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing regional innovation ecosystems nationwide.
The Filipinnovation Awards is a flagship initiative of the NIC under the Philippine Innovation Act (Republic Act No. 11293), designed to promote inclusive and transformative innovation across the country. Sub-national competitions will also take place in Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months.
The competition follows a two-stage format to ensure regional representation. Participants are grouped into four geographic clusters—NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—providing a platform for local innovators to address community-specific challenges. Finalists from each cluster will then compete at the national level for national recognition.
To qualify, participants must:
- Be Filipino citizens or Filipino-owned enterprises
- Be in the early stages of commercialization
- Be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry or the Securities and Exchange Commission
Note: Republic Act No. 12145 reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), effective April 27, 2025.
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