The Bureau of Trademarks (BoT) of the IPOPHL added Ube Kinampay and Asin Tibuok to the list of products granted Philippine geographical indications (GIs) protection.
These two products join a lineup of 31 potential Philippine GIs recognized for their distinct characteristics, reputation, geographical connection, and cultural significance. Some of the other products include Guimaras mangoes, Tau Sebu T’nalak weave, and Bicol Pili.
Asin Tibuok is produced via a traditional method which filters seawater through the ashes of coconut husks.
The producers of Ube Kinampay have expressed interest in GI protection for products such as ube jam and polvoron.
“We are aware that your Ube Kinampay and Asin Tibuok are already popular in various circles. We want to expand those circles by helping you protect and maintain your name, your reputation. Branding your products assures consumers of the quality, and this in turn will create demand and opportunities for better market access and revenue generation,” BoT Director Jesus Antonio Z. Ros said in a statement on Monday.
Kinampay is planted only once a year and can be harvested after six to eight months.
However, in recent years, the province saw a significant decline in the production of this ube variety, from 30,074 metric tons (MT) in 2006 to just 13,957 MT in 2020.
This is a great initiative to protect the products and the people who produce them. It will also help to amplify Bohol’s rich culture and create more opportunities for the province’s already recovering tourism industry.