Filipino inventors and innovators can now avail of a zero-percent interest rate financial support for the commercialization of patented inventions, with the improved Innovation and Technology (i-TECH) lending program.

The Department of Science and Technology-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), officially launched a more accessible financing opportunities for Filipino inventors through the i-TECH 2.0, with the goal to reach more inventors and to continue assisting them with the commercialization of the technology products.

DOST-TAPI, LANDBANK, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) signed a renewed partnership on July 15, 2025, to empower and support more local inventors in the country, in a side event of the Philippines' International Exposition of Technologies or PhilippiNEXT 2025, held at Okada Manila.

With the enhanced lending program, LANDBANK President Ma. Lynette V. Ortiz said they have removed the loan ceiling previously capped at P12.5 million so that eligible borrowers may access funding based on project requirements up to 85 percent of the total project cost.

“We’ve also waived interest charges making the loans interest-free. Through these enhancements, we hope to see more Filipino innovators take the lead, transforming bold ideas into tangible solutions that uplift lives and move our country forward,” Ortiz said.

In September 2017, DOST-TAPI and LANDBANK first launched the i-TECH lending program aimed to address the limited financing opportunities for Filipino innovators funded by the Invention Guarantee Fund (IGF) under the RA 7459 and LANDBANK.

The first version of the i-TECH program offers low-interest funding with five percent interest rate per year, subject to annual review of the LANDBANK and has a zero-interest option for projects funded through the TAPI-IGF. The former program has a loan-sharing agreement where the funding was structured as follows: 40% of the loan was provided by TAPI-IGF with zero interest, 45% from LANDBANK at an interest rate of five percent and the remaining 15% was the borrower's equity.

Another highlight of the revised Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) is the streamlined process where the Screening Committee (SC) for RA 7459 evaluation, technical evaluation of DOST-TAPI, and financial evaluation of LANDBANK will be done simultaneously, which will make it easier for applicants to accomplish requirements both for the SC, DOST-TAPI and the LANDBANK.

According to Romeo M. Javate, chief of the Investment and Business Operation Division (IBOD), processing of applications always starts with the evaluation by DOST-TAPI before proceeding to the financial evaluation of LANDBANK.

Meanwhile, PEZA vowed to support the seamless transfer and commercialization of DOST-funded and developed technologies supported with the financial and technical support needed to enhance their viability, competitiveness, and market impact.

“Through this partnership, we are committing to a framework that will unlock new opportunities for our PEZA-registered enterprises while empowering Filipino inventors to actively participate in the ecozone value chain,” Deputy Director for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy Alguso said.

Moreover, during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena invited Filipino inventors to avail the program and leverage the opportunity where they can reach a wider market for their inventions.

Registered Filipino-owned corporations or partnerships with active intellectual property (IP) rights for patent, utility model, or industrial design are eligible to avail of the financial program.

According to DOST-TAPI, a Filipino inventor must be a major stockholder of the corporation or the managing partner of the partnership, regardless of the type of partnership.

Additionally, intellectual property must be valid and has at least one year remaining validity at the time of application.

As of this year, DOST-TAPI and LANDBANK has assisted six Filipino inventors, according to Javate.

The i-TECH lending program is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, a complete list of requirements and comprehensive guidelines to avail the program is available at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)

(From left to right) LANDBANK’s first Vice President for Agriculture and Sustainable Development Group, Eden B. Japitana; Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, Director of DOST-TAPI; Atty. Israel Jacob R. Zaragosa, Head of Legal Unit of DOST-TAPI, and Mr. Romeo M. Javate, chief of the Investment and Business Operation Division, DOST-TAPI speak before the media and the group of innovators association during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) among DOST-TAPI, LANDBANK, and PEZA, on July 15, 2025 at Okada Manila, Pasay City. (Photo from Patrick James Lee Alfonso, DOST-STII)