By Leilanie Adriano/PNA

Visitors check some of the products on display at the National Inventors Week exhibit held at Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City, Ilocos Norte on Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2018). Among the items is an electric fire cracker which does not emit toxic smoke to the atmosphere but only light and sound. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY — Filipino inventors and their unique innovations are on display starting Tuesday until Friday at the Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
The four-day event is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the National Inventors Week and 75th year of the Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative.
Attended by local government officials, entrepreneurs, students, researchers and producers among others, at least 18 booths, participated by more than two inventors, showcased their latest products ranging from learner’s robotics, electronic fire crackers, other locally invented machines for small farmers and entrepreneurs and many others meant to address everyday problems.
“Let us take this opportunity to savor the products of Science and Technology and take inspiration from them,” said Engr. Armando Ganal, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology in Region 1.
The annual event features unique innovations to help inventors reach a wider market for their products.
The event was organized by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative, Technology Application and Promotion Institure (TAPI), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), and the City of Batac.
As an inventor himself, Francisco Pagayon, President of the FISCP, said he is grateful for the government’s assistance in promoting their inventions in the community.
“We may have the idea and product, but the entrepreneurial side should be strengthened,” said Pagayon.
In view of this, project collaborations both from public and private stakeholders were made stronger to make inventions available for all.
With this year’s theme “Inventrepinoy for sustainable growth and prosperity,” the activity also highlights a workshop on entrepreneurship and financial management for interested participants.
A technology forum also features the role of State Universities and Colleges and Higher Education Institutions in developing inventor-entrepreneurs towards sustainable economic development, the role of local government units in developing local inventors to become innovative inventrepinoy, inventor’s journey to success and fund sourcing among others.