The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has extended the age coverage of its “Youth Filer” classification to include individuals up to 30 years old, under Memorandum 2025-021.
Previously limited to those aged 23 and below, the revised policy brings IPOPHL’s youth initiatives in line with Republic Act No. 8044, or the Youth in Nation-Building Act, which defines youth as individuals between 15 and 30 years old.
The expanded classification will allow more young innovators to access IPOPHL programs such as the Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program, which grants fee waivers for intellectual property applications and provides technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities.
“This move is in keeping with IPOPHL’s KITES Agenda, which aims to encourage the Filipino populace to be more engaged with the intellectual property landscape,” said IPOPHL director general Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz.
According to government data, the Philippines has 29.9 million youth aged 15–30, out of a total population of about 117 million. As of this year, labor force participation among those aged 15–24 stands at 33 percent.
