Memorandum Circular No. 115




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 115, March 26, 2026 ] DIRECTING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUPPORT THE CELEBRATION OF THE 2026 NATIONAL INNOVATION DAY WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 or the "Philippine Innovation Act" declared it a policy of the State to foster innovation in the country as a vital component of national development and sustainable economic growth; WHEREAS, Section 27 of RA No. 11293 declares 21 April of every year as the "National Innovation Day (NID)" to: (i) promote public awareness and national support for innovation; (ii) highlight govenrment milestones and private sector initiatives on innovation; and (iii) mandate the National Innovation Council (NIC), in coordination with concerned government agencies, to plan, design, and implement programs and activities in celebration thereof; WHEREAS, the celebration of the 2026 NID, which will be held on 28 to 29 April 2026, forms part of the official activities in line with Philippines' Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026; WHEREAS, the celebration of the 2026 NID, with the them, "AGOS ASEAN: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Growth, Opportunity, and Sustainability in ASEAN," aims to: (i) recognize and celebrate outstanding innovations and innovators in the ASEAN; (ii) provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among govenrment, industry, academe, startups, local government units (LGUs), and ASEAN Member States; and (iii) intensify public support and cultivate a culture of innovation by highlighting the transformative role of AI in shaping industries, enhancing public service delivery, and addressing complex societal challenges, while promoting ethical and inclusive adoption across sectors and across borders; WHEREAS, the 2026 NID will feature ASEAN-focused initiatives highlighting AI-enabled solutions addressing shared challenges across key sectors, including food and agribusiness, health and well-being, and learning and education, while promoting innovation-driven approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation; WHEREAS, the success of the celebration of the 2026 NID requires the active participation of all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities,ℒαwρhi৷ as well as the support of LGUs and the private sector; and WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vest in the President the power of control over all Executive departments, bureaus, and offices; NOW, THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered: Consistent with Section 27 of RA No. 11293, the NIC, in close coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, shall spearhead in the conduct of programs and activities for this year's celebration of the NID, which is scheduled on 28 to 29 April 2026. All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all LGUs and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to extend full support and cooperation in the conduct of programs and activities in the celebration of the 2026 NIC. This Circular shall take effect immediately. DONE, in the City of Manila, Philippines,this 26th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Six.ℒαwρhi৷ By authority of the President: (Sgd.) RALPH G. RECTO Acting Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation