Likhaan Group

The Likhaan Group starts implementing its new Strategic Development Plan

November 7, 2008 – 2:43 pm

Likhaan Newsletter No. 49 October 2008

The inventive mind is the heart of technical innovation, social invention and economic development!

Promote inventive activities in your school.

Teachers and students organize…

THE INVENTSCHOOL

Learning Center

in your own campus

… and we will help develop the inventive mind of students and teachers in your school by providing them scientific-technological and social creativity training programs.

email us: likhaangroup@likhaan.com, likhaangroup@yahoo.com or likhaangroup@gmail.com or call/text Mobile: +0639272957076 or Mobile +0639184956535.

Likhaan Newsletter Year 23 ▪ Number 49 eMail Edition QUEZON CITY, METRO-MANILA, PHILIPPINES October 2008

The Likhaan Group starts implementing its new Strategic Development Plan

Restarting points for Likhaan organizational renewal in full swing

The new “Strategic Development Plan (SDP)” of The Likhaan Group, approved in August 2008, is now on its first stage of implementation.

The TLG Strategic Plan is divided into three (3) parts. Part 1 deals with the clarification of Likhaan’s time-cherished corporate mission and objectives, major concerns and primary activities, and development work. Part 2 describes Likhaan’s restarting points for organizational development, institutional design, and proposed functions and activities of TLG and its member-organizations. Part 3 presents the TLG strategic goals, objectives and target outputs in the next ten (10) years, institutional-building program, fund-raising campaign, organizational system, and business development scheme.

The mission of Likhaan is to promote activities that cultivate human creativity, create technical and social inventions, and improve social productivity for sustainable-equitable development and community transformation. While its objectives are to promote creative education and specialized training, undertake innovative research and development planning, and conduct policy research and strategic studies. Likhaan seeks to promote agricultural innovations and countryside development; environmental protection, conservation and resource management; human settlement studies, planning and design; and social innovations and purposeful community development.

In carrying out its mission and objectives, Likhaan focuses its efforts on two fundamental themes and two significant development principles: Human creativity and social productivity, and sustainable-equitable development and community transformation. Thus, its corporate name—Likhaan, a word in the Filipino language which means “a place for creative and productive development work”—aptly symbolizes these line of development activities.

The development themes and principles are reflected in the activities of Likhaan and its member-organizations. The programs and projects of TLG are concentrated around five overlapping concerns:

▪ Developing human resources

▪ Developing organizations and strengthening institutions

▪ Technological transformation and community innovations

▪ Promoting sustainable development and equitable distribution of wealth

▪ Encouraging integrated area development planning and research

The primary work of TLG includes: Development planning and research; policy research and strategic studies; information services, development communication and publications; international studies and understanding; special projects and development concerns; organization of creativity network and volunteer corps; formation of alliance network, setting up and coordination of affiliate and associate organizations; project management services; and invention enterprise (inventerprise) development projects in agri-business, small-medium industries and rural enterprises.

Restarting points for organizational renewal

The first organization reactivated and being fully implemented by Likhaan is The InventSchool International, Inc. (TISI) that was also the first organization of The Likhaan Group of organizations (TLG) established by Imbensyon Pilipino on July 7, 1973.

The reactivation of TISI is carried out through the building of TLG’s Creativity Network and The Likhaan Volunteer Corps, together with fund raising campaigns and the implementation of TISI Educational Programs in schools, colleges and universities in Metro-Manila, initially in Quezon City and Manila, through the conduct of free seminar on “Creativity and Thinking” from August to December 2008.

Once TISI takes off, the Likhaan Institute Foundation, Inc. (LIFI) organized on November 30, 1980 and the Social Inventions & Community Innovations, Inc. (SICI), established in 1989, will be revitalized through small-scale activities or start-up projects.

The Environment & Natural Resource Institute (ENRI), Management and Governance Institute (MAGI) and the Human Settlements Institute (THSI) will be reactivated depending on the successful operations of TISI, LIFI and SICI. While, The Energaea Institute (TEII) and the new Creative Institute for Arts & Literature (CIAL) shall start at any time convenient to the lead persons of the respective institute.

Strategically, the proposed restarting points for reactivating The Likhaan Group are as follows:

1) Restarting points for institutional promotion and ‘marketing’ – news releases, Likhaan Newsletter, Creativity Journal and other publications, initially The CEO Magazine, proposed to be revived in January 2009 (see Likhaan Newsletter No.48).

2) Restarting points for institutional networking and fund generation – Regional, sub-regional and country centers, or friendship societies – Europe-Nordic, North America, Australia-Oceana, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa [initially The European Centre (TEC) & The NordiCentre (TNC) shall be activated]; Fund-raising campaign such as Adopt-an-InventSchool, Adopt-a-Student-Inventor, Adopt-a-Lecturer for The InventSchool (teachers/lecturers’ chair in the InventSchool), etc.; sponsors for Likhaan educational programs and invention projects.

3) Restarting points for institutional renewal and organizational enhancement/development – Creativity Network building – Schools, education-research institutions, business organizations, professional and civic associations, etc. [individuals, groups and organizations]; and Likhaan Volunteer Corps – Students, teachers, professionals, etc. [individuals and groups]

4) Restarting points for funded projects – Grants for Likhaan programs and projects (cf: Restarting Points #2); and Projects for bidding/tender: Preparation of project proposals and sub-contracting proposals/contacts

5) Restarting points for funding support from business organizations –

Aside from project funds (cf: Restarting Points #4), two other possible fund sources for Likhaan are (a) businesses set-up by Likhaan itself, and (b) corporate support from private business organizations.

Likhaan proposes business development scheme to help finance its the programs and projects

Likhaan, as an operating organization, could not push through with its programs and projects due to the usual reasons of limited funds! As early as 1990s, it was thought that Likhaan should organize a business arm, which shall provide income to its personnel as well as set up endowment and operating funds for education, research and development work. This will free Likhaan from seeking contract-projects not directly related to its set purposes and which have been diverting efforts and limited resources towards its full development as an education, research and development institution.

Thus, it was decided recently that the new Likhaan should be established as an education, research and development group supported by its own business organization.

The business organizations proposed to be organized by Likhaan include the following, among others: Likhaan Inventerprise (invention development services, new products R&D and inventions production adaptation and market research), Likhaan Enterprises (manufacturing and marketing of new products and inventions), Likhaan Publishing House (printing & publication of periodicals, pamphlets, booklets and books), Likhaan Mnemo Game (manufacturing, marketing & tournament management), Likhaan Construction & Estate Management, and other possible businesses.

Likhaan Inventerprise

Likhaan Inventerprise is presently operating as a project of TLG. It was initially registered on July 23, 1985 as a single proprietorship with the Bureau of Domestic Trade. In 1988, the business concept of Likhaan Inventerprise was adapted by Inventech Management Corporation (IMC), which managed the 3rd Festival of Filipino Inventions in February 1989. In early 2000, Likhaan Inventerprise was proposed to be the start-up business corporation of Likhaan.

Likhaan Inventerprise as an invention and invention enterprise development company shall take charge of the following:

§ Business Development – for seeking business opportunities; developing new business ideas/designs; business planning and organizing new businesses; preparing project feasibility studies; and conducting competitive business intelligence.

§ Invention Development – for developing new products and inventions; undertaking contract research and technology studies; facilitating techno-transfer; providing intellectual/industrial property studies and patenting services; and managing innovative R&D projects.

§ Management Consultancy – for providing managerial and management development services, general business management consultancy, industrial management, investment portfolio management; and serving as manufacturer’s representative or business agent.

Likhaan Enterprises

Likhaan Enterprises is an “enterprise development project” of The Likhaan Group, which will spin-off and be converted into a business company in early 2009. Presently, its major concerns are:

§ Market development – promotion and distribution of local products and services. (This will develop markets for food and health/hygiene, education and information, home and office and specialty & allied products. It will soon start the promotion and marketing of Likhaan Mnemo Games.)

§ Small-scale production and manufacturing – production of new products, local inventions and technical innovations. (Ultimately, the company will manufacture food and health/hygiene, home and office and specialty & allied products.)

Initial product lines. Likhaan Enterprises will initially concentrate on food and health/hygiene, education and information, home and office and specialty & allied products such as, but not limited to, the following:

Food & health / hygiene – 1) Nutritious foods and food supplements; 2) Hair and skin care products, mother-child and baby care products, and allied herbal/hygiene products; 3) Home care and allied household products; 4) Alternative health care products and medical supplements; 5) Essential oils and fragrances; and 6) Other related food and health/hygiene products.

Education & information – 1) Valuable, distinctive and/or important books; 2) Learning toys and games; 3) Learning aids (audio & visual), tools, instruments, devices & gadgets; and 4) Other related and informational products.

Home & office – Essential home and office tools, instruments, devices, gadgets and other related products.

Specialty & allied products – High-quality and top-drawing specialty products such as wines & liquors; tools, devices & gadgets; and allied products.

Likhaan Publishing House

The proposed Likhaan Publishing House will be the publication unit of The Likhaan Group, Inc. It will publish education and information materials of the Likhaan member-organizations, particularly the educational programs of Likhaan. Hence, it shall also set-up its own printing press.

It will be the re-entry point for reviving the CEO Magazine and its website. The magazine will be the vehicle of the publishing house for nationwide promotion. During previous discussions, it was proposed that CEOmag would be distributed free to qualified subscribers, e.g. business executives, government officials, academic officials, graduate students, and college student leaders.

Likhaan Mnemo Game

Likhaan Mnemo Game [a project under Likhaan Inventerprise] will take charge of developing, promoting and marketing of the Mnemo Learning Game. It will also develop and manage Mnemo Tournaments and the operations and franchising of the Mnemo Game Players Club. The real-world Mnemo educational tournaments (with corporate sponsors) will soon be held in municipalities, provinces, and later at national level.

Mnemo Game is an educational board game invented by Inventor Nelson M. Aboganda and Rev. Fr. Miguel S. Fernandez, and now being developed into digital, interactive Internet and Intranet game by members of Likhaan Group.

What is Mnemo Game? Mnemo Game is a word game that is more exciting to play than any other board game of similar nature. Mnemo Game is both copyrighted and patented game, Philippine Patent No. UM-6398. Mnemo Game is a cross of the words Mnemonics and the Latin nemo. The first is the art and science of memory-building which the learning game tries to foster. The second means “nobody”—as a personal identity game—Mnemo Game aims to develop its enthusiasts into well-rounded personalities in an exciting and interesting manner.

Although basically a word game, Mnemo is actually five games in one. It is, firstly, a word game to enrich one’s vocabulary. Secondly, a parlor game of social interaction which would delight friends and new acquaintances alike. Thirdly, a role-playing game of leadership and management. Fourthly, a game of acting to improve one’s communication skills. And fifthly, an “Intelligence-Cultural-Emotional-and-Creativity Quotient (ICECQ) game to increase one’s knowledge, exercise the imagi­nation and develop one’s intuitive abilities as well emotional resiliency.

Likhaan Construction and Estate Management

Likhaan Construction & Estate Management is intended to develop small-scale, low-cost housing and residential subdivisions, and small business incubation centers. This company will start with the setting up of small-scale Mnemo Learning Game and Educational Theme Park, a “bigger” version of the Mnemo Game Players Club with educational and small conference facilities.

NEWS ROUNDUP

Angara recognizes RP inventor of ‘I-Charj’

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today commended Engr. Aquilino ‘Jun’ Tubigan for winning Gold Medal for Telecommunications in the 2008 Invention and New Products Exposition (INPEX) with his invention ‘I-Charj’.

“In the advent of globalization, we need scientists like Engr. Tubigan who do not spend most of their time in an office writing grant applications; we need scientists who spends time making discoveries in the lab. This is a very effective use of their talents,” said Angara, who chairs Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

‘I-Charj’—a compact charging station—is the first Filipino-made coin-operated charging machine. It is noted for its compact design, ease of use and profit-generating features.

This invention caters to widely-used mobile phone brands in the market today and has integrated charging services for mp3 players and portable play stations.

Among more than 200 participants in the annual international convention, Engineer Tubigan topped the telecommunications category, a category that “first world country inventors” would most likely win.

“Winning the Gold Medal for Telecommunications is really a great honor not just for me, but also for my country. This just proves that Filipino inventions can excel in the international arena, even against the more advanced countries in the world,” Tubigan said.

INPEX is an international tradeshow of inventions from all over the world. It showcases international new inventions and innovations. The tradeshow is held every year in USA and judged by international jury. (Press release, Senate of the Philippines)

House of Representatives: Science and Technology Committee

Clarification sought on ambiguities in inventors’ law

The objectives of Republic Act 7459, otherwise known as the “Inventors and Invention Incentives Act,” are to protect the rights of inventors and to grant them benefits in the form of cash grants, funding assistance and tax incentives.

The effective implementation of the inventors’ law, however, is hindered by varying and conflicting interpretations of some of its provisions.

In this light, Representative Rodolfo Bacani (4th District, Manila) filed House Bill 2181 seeking to amend pertinent provisions of RA 7459 so that the tax incentives, exemptions as well as other privileges due to Filipino inventors shall be stated in clearer and unambiguous terms.

HB 2181 proposes to exempt inventors, as well as their heirs, assigns, or transferees of their inventions, from the payment of license and permit fees for a period of ten years, starting from the date of registration of their inventions.

They shall likewise be exempt from paying direct and indirect taxes, customs duties and value-added taxes (VAT) on the import of machinery, equipment and other components in the manufacture or production of their inventions for a period of ten years from the date of the first sale of their inventions.

In addition, for the same 10-year period, they shall also be exempt from paying VAT, percentage tax and excise tax on the production or sale of their inventions or on the sale, transfer or lease of the patents for their inventions, and income tax and business tax.

Another bill—HB 3241—authored by Rep. Antonio Diaz (2nd District, Zambales), points to certain ambiguities in RA 7459. It proposes to re-establish the Philippine Inventors Commission (PIC) created under RA 3850 by consolidating this law with RA 7459.

In effect, the Inventors Commission would take over all functions, duties and responsibilities of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) under RA 7459.

The bill also adds the word “Inc.” to the phrase Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) contained in RA 7459. The inclusion of the FIS sowed confusion among concerned government agencies as well as various inventors groups after the law failed to properly identify the entity referred to.

The clarification of which group represents the inventors is crucial since it is part of the screening committee that shall choose which patented inventions shall receive cash awards from the government.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO), through Deputy Director General Ireneo Galicia, said that recognizing the FIS will be construed as favoring this group to the prejudice of other organizations. This is also tantamount to class legislation, he added.

Galicia also averred that the definition of the word “invention” should not be limited only to patented machines, products or processes, including implements or tools and other related gadgets, utility models or industrial designs. It must also cover inventions which have not been patented or registered, he added.

The IPO is pushing for the adoption of the definition of “patentable invention” found in the Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293), which means “any patented machine, product, process or technical solution of a problem in any field of human activity which is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable. It may be, or relate to, a product or process or any improvement of any of the foregoing. It may also refer to a utility model and industrial design.”

Lawyer Ronilo Beronio, deputy executive director of Philrice, proposed to include inventors employed by the government, particularly research scientists from the agricultural sector, in the bills’ coverage.

Rep. Diaz, the chair of the Committee, announced the creation of a technical working group that would consolidate the two bills.