IPOPHL extends Juana Make a Mark Program to empower 1,000 more women-led MSMEs

April 9, 2021

As part of kick-starting its National Intellectual Property (IP) Month 2021, the IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) announced its extension of the Juana Make a Mark incentive program, which has so far enabled 3,000 women to gain greater market competitiveness with the protection of their trademarks.

At the National IP Month kick-off press conference held on April 5, 2021, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said the Office is now welcoming new applicants as the 1,000 slots in the previous round of extension had been fully availed.

“The fourth cycle intends to benefit 1,000 women-led MSMEs more” Barba said, noting the initiative is also part of the recent celebration of National Women’s Month. 

“With registration, women entrepreneurs could enjoy time-bound exclusive rights over their trademarks. This gives them strategic advantage in building their brand and business and the right to prevent others from using their marks for the same or similar goods or services without their authority or consent,” the IPOPHL chief added. 

Of the program’s 3,000 beneficiaries, about 35% were engaged in local pastries, delicacies, coffee, tea, sugar etc; 20% in processing indigenous fruits and vegetables; 13% in food outlets selling local delicacies such as “pasalubong” goods; 4% in restaurant services offering local cuisines; and 3.5% in organic/natural soaps, shampoo for animals, cosmetic products.

Top filers under the program were the Cordillera Administrative Region with a 9.97% share or 296 applications; Soccsksargen with 9.90% or 294; Central Luzon with 8.42% or 250; Western Visayas with 7.88% or 234; and Mimaropa with 7.65% or 227.

Launched in 2017, the Juana Make a Mark program is designed to encourage trademark registration among women-led MSMEs engaged in priority sectors identified by IPOPHL and the Department of Trade and Industry.

These priority sectors are agri-business (food and resource-based processing); aerospace parts; automotive and auto spare parts; chemicals; electronic manufacturing and semiconductor manufacturing services; construction; design-oriented furniture and garments; IT and business process management; tool and die; tourism; and transport and logistics.### (Janina Lim, Media Relations Officer)