SEN. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara sees the opening up of more opportunities for outstanding Philippine products with the grant of the country’s first-ever geographical indication (GI) to Guimaras mangoes.
As the author of Senate Bill (SB) 1868, or the proposed “Protected Geographical Indications Act,” Angara said the potential for growth of high-quality, truly Filipino brands and products is high, particularly in the international marketplace.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently approved the application of the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative (GMGPDC) for the Guimaras mango to be registered as a GI.
IPOPHL noted that this was the result of a decade of work by the organization to put the spotlight on Guimaras mangoes as having the highest quality and standards insofar as the processes used in planting, harvesting, handling, packing and storage.
“Guimaras mangoes have long been well-known among Filipinos as being one of the sweetest in the country and having the quality that can pass the standards and requirements of importing countries. With the grant of the first-ever GI, farmers of Guimaras mangoes will be the ones to benefit with an increase in demand and higher profits,” Angara said.
It was reported that GMGPDC has received offers to export to the Czech Republic, Dubai and South Korea after making its first export to Switzerland of an initial two tons in 2022.
Products with a GI are certified as having originated from a specific territory, region or locality, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good are essentially attributable to its geographical origin and/or human factors.
“With a GI, producers will be able to have a powerful marketing tool at its disposal and also demand a premium for their products. This is very much in the spirit of our Tatak Pinoy or Proudly Pinoy advocacy, which strives to level up the quality of the goods and services our country produces, so that they can access broader markets and generate more quality jobs for our people,” Angara said.
Through SB 1868, Angara said the concerns of GI holders regarding infringement — a problem that is faced in other jurisdictions, such as the European Union, will also be addressed through the imposition of the appropriate penalties.
Even producers who are non-GI holders that have established identities and standards for their products have encountered similar issues on infringement wherein some products claim to be made in or originating from a particular area but are actually not and are also substandard.
Under Angara’s bill, the unwilful use of registered GIs without the consent or authorization from the registrant is considered an infringement and offense against the economic interest of the State.
On top of possible civil and administrative sanctions provided for under the law, infringement of GI also carries a criminal penalty of imprisonment from two to five years and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P1 million.
The registration of GIs is done through the Bureau of Trademarks of IPOPHL.
“We encourage our eligible local producers to work toward securing a GI, not only to improve your revenues, but also to showcase the best that the country has to offer to the world,” Angara said.
A public hearing has already been held for SB 1868 by the Sub-Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship chaired by Angara.
Co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda, SB 1868 is now with the technical working group in preparation for its sponsorship in the second regular session of Congress.
Source: Javier Joe Ismael – The Manila Times | June 18, 2023