The Philippines has secured Guimaras mangoes as its geographical indication (GI) when the Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL) in Geneva, Switzerland approved its registration after about a decade of being worked on.
GI, as defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a sign used "on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin."
"In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place," it added.
The GI seal for Guimaras mangoes is similar to the GIs for Gruyere cheese of Switzerland and for Champagne of France, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The approval of its registration will allow its farmers and producers to "benefit from additional income and acquire international prestige, protection, and recognition for their delicious mango product," the DFA added.
Works to obtain GI for Guimaras mangoes started in 2013 under a technical assistance project administered by the European Union, the DFA said, citing information from the IPOPHL.
Meanwhile, IPOPHL also reported the successful promotion of the Bikol Pili collective mark for various products from the Bicol region last month.
The Committee on Intellectual Property and Development (CDIP) of WIPO recognized Bikol Pili as a collective mark in a meeting last May, in line with the WIPO Development Agenda (DA) in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Philippines were among the recipients of financial and technical support for the promotion of registration and collective mark for small and local businesses in the country.