The provincial government of Bohol has formally filed an application for geographical indication (GI) registration of ubi kinampay, the prized purple yam variety known as the “Queen of Philippine Yams,” in a bid to protect one of the country’s most important agricultural heritage products.
The Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (BEDIPO) submitted the application to officially recognize the unique quality, reputation, and cultural heritage of ubi kinampay — attributes closely tied to the province’s geography, soil type, climate, and traditional farming methods.
The yam is prized for its naturally vibrant violet flesh, earthy aroma, and distinctive flavor, which have made it highly valued in both local and international food markets.
Officials said the GI recognition would also strengthen the connection between the Bohol Island Geopark — the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Philippines — and the sustainable livelihoods of local farmers.
The program aims not only to protect the product but also to preserve traditional agricultural knowledge and highlight how Bohol’s unique geology shapes a variety found nowhere else in the world.
In a related development, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (Philrootcrops) distributed more than 60,000 purple yam planting materials worth P2.6 million to over 900 farmers across Leyte and Bohol provinces.
In Bohol, recipients were drawn from the towns of Dagohoy, San Isidro, Lila, Cortes, and Alburquerque. Farmers in 15 Leyte localities — including Abuyog, Tacloban, Baybay, Maasin, and Ormoc — also received planting materials.
BPI said it is continuing to provide technical assistance and capacity-building activities to improve farmers’ yields and help them access new market opportunities.
BPI Director Glenn Panganiban said that as ube gains broader global recognition, it is important to ensure Filipino farmers are positioned to benefit from expanding trade opportunities.