The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has entered into an agreement with South Korean and local partners to enhance the competitiveness of Bicol region’s elemi industry through technology and branding support.

In a statement on Monday, Dec. 22, IPOPHL said it signed a five-year partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Intellectual Property of Korea (MOIP), Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA), and Orgullo Kan Bikol (OKB) Association Inc.

The agreement supports long-term cooperation among the four signatories to develop sustained capacity building in equipment use, sustainable harvesting, and branding for the elemi industry.

Elemi is a resin obtained from Canarium ovatum—commonly known as pili tree—and is widely used in essential oils, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Through the MOU, MOIP and KIPA will lead the research, design, and development of equipment and brands for elemi.

IPOPHL, through the Bureau of Trademarks, will oversee field activities, coordination, monitoring, and awareness campaigns.

OKB, as the beneficiary, will be responsible for site preparation, operations, safety, feedback, and community engagement.

IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel Arevalo said this is a “collective affirmation that innovation, when guided by purpose, can uplift communities.”

“Intellectual property (IP), when made accessible and meaningful, can empower local industries; and that international cooperation, when rooted in trust, can open doors to long-term, sustainable development,” he added.

The partnership builds on the IP-sharing project of OKB and IPOPHL, which supported community enterprises in developing elemi products, particularly in securing their respective IP.

Specifically, the project guides residents throughout the IP process—from feasibility review, research and development (R&D), and technology localization to IP-based commercialization.

“The project is seen to transform Bicol’s elemi sector by boosting production efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening market competitiveness through authentic, culturally grounded branding,” IPOPHL said.

“It is expected to raise farmers’ and MSMEs’ [micro, small, and medium enterprises] incomes through higher yields, safer extraction, improved access to premium markets, and new opportunities in processing, packaging, and brand development,” it added.

With the MOU in place, OKB president Erika Pereña said the agreement signals the local industry’s readiness to position Bicol elemi as a globally competitive export.

“This project restores dignity to local production and affirms our identity as globally ready Bicolano MSMEs and innovators,” Pereña said.

OKB is a Bicol-based organization that helps local MSMEs by providing opportunities to showcase their products and grow their businesses.