The Philippines is moving to turn its top farm and fishery goods into well-regarded global brands, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) sign a renewed partnership to help producers earn better prices, grow local sales, and strengthen overseas shipments. Signed on Wednesday, the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) revises an earlier deal from 2018 and centers on geographical indications (GIs) as a key part of the administration’s drive to build a more competitive, value-focused, and export-driven agri-fishery sector.
While trademarks identify individual businesses, GIs build brands tied to a product’s specific place of origin—much like Champagne from France, Scotch Whisky from Scotland, or Kobe Beef from Japan, all of which command higher prices because consumers link them to proven quality, tradition, and heritage. The DA aims to give Philippine farm and fishery products this same level of global standing. Items lined up for GI protection include Cordillera Heirloom Rice, Davao Pomelo, Zambales Mangoes, Davao Cacao, Davao Durian, Bonuan Bangus, Quezon Lambanog, Camarines Norte Queen Pineapple, and Oriental Mindoro Calamansi. An application to register Bohol Ubi Kinampay has already been submitted to IPOPHL, marking a key step forward for the program.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that safeguarding products linked to their roots brings benefits that go far beyond intellectual property rights. “For generations, our farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous communities have nurtured goods whose quality and character are deeply tied to where they come from. Through geographical indications, we can safeguard these unique items, keep their authenticity intact, build stronger trust among buyers, and open up more opportunities for the people who produce them,” he said.
The new agreement sets up a joint team to create a national plan for GIs, help producer groups organize and grow, put better checks and tracking systems in place, and help local goods reach more profitable markets at home and abroad. The push aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call in his recent State of the Nation Address for more value addition in farming, where he highlighted ube as one product with strong promise in global markets. As international food trade puts more focus on reputation and authenticity rather than just quantity, the government believes the country’s edge will come not only from what it produces, but from where it is grown or caught. By protecting a product’s origin, the Philippines aims to protect its market value—and make sure more of that gain goes directly to the communities that grow and harvest it.
