Philippines expands GI program to boost farm product branding

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a renewed memorandum of understanding, extending a partnership first created in 2018. The agreement combines IPOPHL’s expertise in intellectual‑property law with the DA’s technical leadership to identify, protect and commercialise geographically indicated (GI) agricultural and fishery products.

At least 30 items have been earmarked for GI protection, including Cordillera Heirloom Rice, Davao Pomelo, Zambales Mangoes, Quezon Lambanog and Davao Cacao. The DA will showcase 15 priority high‑value crops such as mangoes, bananas, pineapples, durian and ube at international trade events in Seoul and Hong Kong. The joint technical working group will develop a national GI roadmap, strengthen producer organisations, improve certification and traceability, and help Philippine products command premium prices in domestic and export markets. Officials highlighted the need for the premium to reach the farmers and fisherfolk who create the goods, linking the effort to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drive for value‑added agricultural exports.