With the Philippines known for its rich regional diversity—from specialty crops and traditional crafts to heritage food products—the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has launched the Philippine Geographical Indications (GI) Logo to help unlock greater economic opportunities for local communities through stronger branding, protection, and market recognition.
Launched Tuesday, the new logo will serve as the country’s official certification mark for registered GI products, enabling consumers to easily identify authentic goods whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are closely linked to their geographic origin. IPOPHL said the initiative is expected to raise product value, improve producer visibility, and expand commercial prospects for communities across the country.
Developed by IPOPHL’s Bureau of Trademarks, the logo is part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s GI system and strengthen institutional coordination as policies and legislation on origin-based products continue to evolve.
“A GI is more than a label. It is a declaration of origin,” said Teodoro C. Pascua, Director General of IPOPHL. “The GI Logo gives that declaration a face and a promise—one that stands for provenance, quality, and the community behind the product.”
Geographical indications are signs used on goods originating from a specific place, where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic is essentially attributable to that origin. These may apply to agricultural, industrial, and handicraft products, allowing communities to command premium pricing while protecting consumers from misleading claims.
Loren Legarda emphasized the cultural and economic importance of the initiative, saying the logo reflects the deep connection between Philippine products, the land they come from, and the knowledge of local communities.
Meanwhile, Marie Fontanel highlighted the role of GIs in addressing climate-related threats to traditional products. She reaffirmed France’s support through a ₱30.1-million project funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), aimed at promoting climate resilience through GI protection.
“For too long, our local products have suffered from lack of recognition,” said Maximo Y. Dalog Jr. in a statement delivered during the event. He noted that GI registration can help farmers secure better prices, improve productivity, and attract global attention to uniquely Filipino products.
Under the proposed guidelines, the GI Logo:
- Certifies officially recognized Philippine GI products
- May only be used by authorized GI registrants
- Must appear alongside the official GI name
- Must follow prescribed visual standards to preserve consistency and integrity
The launch was held alongside a capacity-building program for national agencies and stakeholders to strengthen understanding of GI governance and improve coordination.
IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said the agency remains committed to making GI protection a practical tool that benefits producers, strengthens partnerships, and amplifies the stories of Filipino communities.
At present, the Philippines has four registered geographical indications: Guimaras Mangoes, Alburquerque Asin Tibuok, Aklan Piña, and T’nalak Tau Sebu.
Through the AFD-backed project, IPOPHL and the Department of Agriculture are also working to advance Bikol Pili and Camiguin Lanzones toward GI status, while supporting farmers and improving the legislative environment for origin-based products.