The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has officially registered the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok [G/4/2024/00008] from Bohol as a Geographical Indication (GI).
The announcement was posted on their official website, recognizing it as one of the country’s treasured cultural and economic heritage products.
“The recognition of Asin Tibuok as a GI supports the preservation of culture and the way of life.”
According to IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel Arevalo, the recognition of Asin Tibuok as a GI “supports the preservation of culture and the way of life while also bolstering branding, market access, and revenue opportunities for communities.”
Arevalo added that the inclusion of Alburquerque Asin Tibuok “underscores IPOPHL’s efforts to safeguard the country’s cultural icons—likewise potential economic drivers—under a strengthened intellectual property framework.”
As part of an IP Key Southeast Asia workshop organized jointly by IPOPHL and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, a certificate turnover ceremony was held to formally hand over the GI registration to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Alburquerque.
Receiving the certificate were Alburquerque Councilor Jacqueline Buates and SK Federated President Francisneil Teves, along with Municipal Tourism Officer Dina Manlangit, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the local government.
Meanwhile, Governor Aris Aumentado lauded the recognition on his official Facebook page.
“Kini nga pag-apruba nagasuporta sa pagpreserbar sa kultura ug pamaagi sa kinabuhi, samtang nagpalig-on usab sa branding, market access, ug revenue opportunities alang sa atong mga komunidad (This approval supports the preservation of culture and lifestyle, while also strengthening branding, market access, and revenue opportunities for our communities,)” Aumentado said.
The governor also emphasized the preservation of the cultural icon, which he considers a potential economic driver for the province, the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark.
“Daku kini’g natampo sa panginabuhian sa atong mga kaigsuonan—gikan sa pagkuha sa materyales sama sa bunot, kahoy, ug uban pa, daghan ang naka-benepisyo sa padayon nga paghimo sa maong bahandi (It has contributed greatly to the livelihood of our brothers and sisters—from the extraction of materials such as wood, wood, etc., many have benefited from the continued production of such wealth),” he added.
The Asin Tibuok, which translates to “whole salt,” is a centuries-old artisanal salt crafted through a meticulous process of burning coconut husks, filtering the ash, and boiling seawater in clay pots to form dense, egg-shaped salt blocks.
Known for its distinct smoky and subtly sweet flavor, it embodies the unique character of Bohol’s coastal culture and stands as the last surviving traditional salt-making craft in the Philippines.
Moreover, Buates, representing Mayor Don Ritchie Buates of Alburquerque, shared her pride in the achievement in a Facebook post.
“We proudly received the certificate recognizing Asin Tibuok as the second GI-registered product in the country.”
“We proudly received the certificate recognizing Asin Tibuok as the second GI-registered product in the country during the official awarding ceremony,” the councilor said.
With this, the Philippines now has three recognized GIs along with Guimaras Mangoes and Aklan Piña.
This recognition also supports the Provincial Government of Bohol’s Strategic Governance Roadmap of the Aumentado administration, advancing cultural and heritage-based economic growth and sustainable livelihood.
