Innovations aimed at improving farming, promoting sustainability, and addressing water access challenges took the spotlight as the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Region V hosted the Luzon Filipinnovation Awards 2025 on June 18 in Legazpi City.
The competition brought together 11 shortlisted innovators from across Luzon that selected from 58 qualified entries out of 61 applications who pitched their technologies and products before a panel of expert judges.
âThe awards aim to nurture the spirit and mindset of innovation among entrepreneurs, so they can contribute meaningfully to our national development goals,â said Jasmin Zantua, Officer-in-Charge Assistant Regional Director of DepDev V in an interview with BicoldotPH. âInnovation plays a vital role in driving inclusive growth and solving everyday challenges faced by communities.â
Three standout innovations were selected to advance to the national finals scheduled for October. These include Pilatak Palay Seeder, a unique tool designed to improve planting efficiency for farmers; PiliSeal, a sustainable, non-toxic adhesive developed from pili tree waste; and Rainfold, a system that transforms rainwater into safe drinking water for communities with limited access.
Many of the participants, Zantua noted, had previously received support from government agencies such as DOST and DTI, and are now seeking to scale up their operations. âWhat makes this competition distinct is that itâs not only a showcase but also a support system. Finalists receive mentorship, technical assistance, and access to a broader network that can help them bring their innovations to market.â
Though most of the featured products are in the early stages of commercialization, the competition specifically targets entrepreneurs whose work is ready for scale-up and market introduction. âThe goal is to help them move from prototypes and small-scale distribution to widespread market adoption,â Zantua added.
The Luzon leg follows the National Capital Region round held in April. Competitions for Visayas and Mindanao are set for July and August, respectively, with winners from each region competing at the national level in October.
DepDev also highlighted ongoing opportunities for public sector-led innovation through the Philippine Innovation Grants, which opened for 2025 proposals on June 23. Under the program, eligible government entities such as local government units and state universities can apply for up to PHP 7.5 million in funding. In 2022, Naga City accessed PHP 5 million for a startup development program, the first in Bicol to benefit from the grant.
According to Zantua, the department continues to address key challenges faced by regional innovators, including limited access to funding, technical validation, and market linkages. âWe are building stronger partnerships with universities, industry groups, and research institutions to expand opportunities for local talent,â she said.
She added that a monitoring and evaluation framework is in place to track the progress of supported innovations, ensuring transparency and impact assessment. âThereâs also an innovation mapping system to help us follow how ideas are developing and making a difference in the lives of Filipinos.â
With the annual awards now underway and support programs expanding, DepDev hopes to see even more game-changing innovations from across the countryâand particularly from Bicolâin the years ahead.
Photo by DepDev