DA, IPOPHL to create GI roadmap for farm products

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) are set to create a geographical indication (GI) roadmap for the country’s farm products.

The DA and the IPOPHL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a technical working group that will develop a GI roadmap for key agricultural products.

These include Cordillera heirloom rice, the Camarines Norte queen pineapple, Bonuan bangus, Zambales mangoes, Quezon lambanog and pomelo, cacao and durian from Davao.

“As competition in global food markets shifts from volume to branding and authenticity, the government is betting that the country’s next export advantage will come not only from what it grows, but from where it is grown and harvested,” the DA said.

The agency added that the recent GI application for Bohol ubi kinampay was another milestone toward the country’s push to promote origin-based farm products.

In June, the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office filed an application to register the Bohol ubi kinampay for a GI mark, aimed to protect the province’s producers amid the global boom for ube.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said protecting local farm products through their place of origin would create better economic opportunities for local producers.

He added that GI certification would protect the local products, preserve authenticity, enhance consumer confidence and create greater opportunities for our farming and fishing communities.

“For generations, our farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous communities have cultivated products whose quality and identity are deeply rooted in their places of origin,” Tiu Laurel said.

The agreement also seeks to bolster producer organizations, improve the issuance of certification and traceability systems and help open more higher-value domestic and export markets for local farm produce.

Securing a GI mark for Philippine farm products would boost its export value and allow the government to narrow the country’s P10 billion annual agricultural trade deficit.