After the conferment of a GI certificate by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Guimaras now solely owns the title of producing the sweetest mangoes. The certificate was awarded to the provincial government of Guimaras and the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative during the National Geographical Indications Forum held in Makati City from May 22 to 23.
Provincial Economic Development (PED) Officer Francisco E. Gentoral, stated that it took around two years before the province was able the get the registration because they had to document starting from production, determining the number of days to harvest to maintain the sweetness, testing the sweetness level and hot water treatment processes.
The patent, he said, showed the value of the product and not just about the sweetness of the mango but also the processes that it underwent and the quality it has to maintain.
Source: pna.gov.ph