‘Dinosaur egg’ artisanal salt wins GI mark

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said it approved the registration of Bohol’s Alburquerque Asin Tibuok as a geographical indication (GI), which is expected to enhance the artisanal salt product’s marketability.

In a statement, IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said the approval “supports the preservation of culture and the way of life while also bolstering branding, market access and revenue opportunities for communities.”

IPOPHL issued the certificate to officials representing the municipality of  Alburquerque, Bohol, it said.

A GI links goods to their geographic origin and serves as a form of intellectual property protection for cultural practices.Asin Tibuok is made by filtering seawater in charred coconut husks. The concentrated brine is cooked for hours in large clay pots until it solidifies into shapes described as “dinosaur eggs.” The salt contains halite, a natural form of sodium chloride, and is unrefined and additive-free.

Making Asin Tibuok, which dates back to the pre-colonial period, has declined in recent years due to modern salt production methods and the lack of interest among younger generations.

“The inclusion of the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok into our growing list of geographical indications further underscores IPOPHL’s efforts to safeguard the country’s cultural icons, likewise potential economic drivers, under a strengthened intellectual property framework,” Mr. Arevalo said.

A GI registration is thought to deter imitation products or false claims about the geographical origin of the goods.

GIs are issued to agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, spirits, textile/clothing, handicrafts, and industrial products.

Alburquerque Asin Tibuok joins products like Guimaras mangoes and Aklan piña on the Philippine GI list. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz